WO2000026979A1 - Frame element for a laminated pem fuel cell and production method thereof - Google Patents

Frame element for a laminated pem fuel cell and production method thereof Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2000026979A1
WO2000026979A1 PCT/DE1999/003278 DE9903278W WO0026979A1 WO 2000026979 A1 WO2000026979 A1 WO 2000026979A1 DE 9903278 W DE9903278 W DE 9903278W WO 0026979 A1 WO0026979 A1 WO 0026979A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
frame element
fuel cell
layers
pem fuel
layer
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/DE1999/003278
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Hans Kohlmüller
Original Assignee
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
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Publication date
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Publication of WO2000026979A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000026979A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0271—Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes
    • H01M8/0273—Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes with sealing or supporting means in the form of a frame
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
    • H01M8/2465—Details of groupings of fuel cells
    • H01M8/2483—Details of groupings of fuel cells characterised by internal manifolds
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
    • H01M8/241—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes
    • H01M8/242—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes comprising framed electrodes or intermediary frame-like gaskets
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2300/00—Electrolytes
    • H01M2300/0017—Non-aqueous electrolytes
    • H01M2300/0065—Solid electrolytes
    • H01M2300/0082—Organic polymers
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
    • Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a frame element for use in a PEM fuel cell, in particular in a demonstrator of a PEM fuel cell battery, which is constructed from several layers in laminate technology and in which e.g. Process gas lines and / or bores can be integrated.
  • the frame element is usually between a separator and a membrane in a PEM fuel cell unit of a fuel cell battery.
  • the PEM fuel cell battery with a sealing frame element, in which the frame element is formed in one piece, is known.
  • This frame element is expensive to manufacture, at least as long as only a few demonstrators are manufactured, because an extra injection mold has to be made for each. In addition, no change can be made to the finished frame element because it is in one piece.
  • a frame element in laminate technology which comprises several layers which are connected to one another, as is the subject of the invention and of claim 1.
  • the invention also relates to a method for producing a frame element, in which several layers of inexpensive material are stacked on top of one another. be added that a frame element in laminate technology for a PEM fuel cell arises from it.
  • the frame element is constructed from at least three layers, a combination of thermosets and thermoplastics, as well as one of the materials, that is, thermosets or thermoplastics, having proven to be particularly advantageous.
  • thermosets All materials that are available as sheet goods - that is, all types of plastics and natural materials, as well as metals - that can be glued can be used as layer materials.
  • Phenolic resins may be mentioned as examples of thermosets.
  • thermoplastics are:
  • Polystyrene, PVC, polycarbonate and polysulfone are examples of polystyrene, PVC, polycarbonate and polysulfone.
  • the individual layers are glued together.
  • Structures for manifolding are structures which, after lamination, provide the channels and / or lines for the coolant and / or process gas supply and / or disposal and / or the bores for the tie rods. According to another embodiment of the method, at least one layer is cut out and / or punched only after the connection with the other layers.
  • the invention replaces the one-piece frame elements that were previously used for edge sealing in demonstrators for PEM fuel cells by multilayer frame elements in laminate technology.
  • the frame element On the top and / or underside, which in each case forms the interface to the membrane, the separator or the further frame element, the frame element is preferably also provided with a layer of elastic material for better sealing.
  • This elastic layer is e.g. made of a silicone rubber, which in turn e.g. is applied via a screen printing process. This seal can also be applied from a different material and by a different method.
  • a further elastic intermediate layer is attached to the side of the frame element which adjoins the separator, so that minor manufacturing errors in the height of the separator or other small mechanical unevenness, such as those e.g. caused by swelling and / or shrinkage of the membrane in the construction of a fuel cell battery, can be easily compensated for.
  • This layer can e.g. also be made of silicone rubber.
  • the design of an element is referred to as laminate technology, in which the height of the element results from stacking and connecting individual, often also very thin layers.
  • the individual layers can be completely different in terms of their design, shape and material, as long as they have enough overlapping area that they can be connected to one another, for example by gluing, and their materials can be connected.
  • the invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment.
  • Figure 1 shows a cross section through a PEM fuel cell unit in the bipolar structure.
  • Figure 2 shows a plan view of a frame element.
  • a separator 1 can be seen at the top and at the bottom, which closes the PEM fuel cell unit shown at the bottom and at the top.
  • the frame element 3 comprises four layers 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d. Not all layers have the same shape, as shown in example 3a and 3b. Layer 3a encases the gas line 5, while layer 3b only adjoins the gas line 5 and thus forms the process gas inlet on the active cell surface.
  • the individual layers are connected with an adhesive layer 4.
  • an adhesive layer 4 During production, it is irrelevant on which layer the adhesive and / or whether it is applied on one or both sides. Because of the easy handling of prefabricated parts it is advisable to use e.g. a hot melt adhesive, but a two-component adhesive, a one-component adhesive and / or a UV-curable adhesive can also be used.
  • the sealing layer 6 is located on the underside of the frame element 3.
  • This layer preferably consists of silicone rubber and / or neoprene and is applied, for example, to the outer laminate layer using a screen printing process. This seals against the membrane 7.
  • the PEM fuel cell is again closed by a separator 1.
  • a frame element can also rest on a further frame element, ie the invention is not limited to the bipolar layer structure of a fuel cell in a fuel cell battery shown here as an embodiment. In particular, it is also suitable, for example, for the monopolar structure of a battery.
  • FIG. 2 shows a top view of a frame element 3, of one of the layers 3a to 3d.
  • the frame element belongs to a fuel cell with a square shape. However, a frame element according to the invention can also be implemented for fuel cells with any other shape.
  • a number of openings 8 can be seen in the frame element, which can serve different purposes: They are either part of a process gas supply or discharge line, part of a bore for e.g. a tie rod with which the PEM fuel cell battery is held together using filter press technology, or are part of a coolant circuit.
  • Layers 3a to 3d are connected to one another in such a way that the respective openings for the process gas line or bore come to lie on one another.
  • the production of the frame element in laminate technology does not require expensive injection molds and can be implemented at short notice. Changes to the frame element can be carried out quickly and cheaply, which is why the invention is particularly suitable for the construction of demonstrators, in which changes are often desired.
  • the installation of an elastic layer on the side of the frame element facing the separator makes it possible to also use non-resilient separators because mechanical pressure is absorbed by the elastic layer. An axial change in length of the PEM fuel cell battery can also be absorbed via the elastic layer.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Fuel Cell (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a frame element (3) for a PEM fuel cell, especially for a demonstrator of a PEM fuel cell battery which consists of several laminated layers (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) and in which process gas lines (5) and/or holes can be integrated. The frame element (3) is generally located between a separator (1) and a membrane (7) in the PEM fuel cell unit of a fuel cell battery.

Description

Beschreibungdescription
Rahmenelement für eine PEM-Brennstoffzelle in Laminat-Technik und Herstellungsverfahren dazuFrame element for a PEM fuel cell in laminate technology and manufacturing process therefor
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Rahmenelement zur Verwendung in einer PEM-Brennstoffzelle, insbesondere in einem Demonstrator einer PEM-BrennstoffZellenbatterie, das aus mehrerem Schichten in Laminat-Technik aufgebaut ist und in das z.B. Prozeß- gasleitungen und/oder Bohrungen integriert sein können. DasThe invention relates to a frame element for use in a PEM fuel cell, in particular in a demonstrator of a PEM fuel cell battery, which is constructed from several layers in laminate technology and in which e.g. Process gas lines and / or bores can be integrated. The
Rahmenelement liegt in der Regel zwischen einem Separator und einer Membran in einer PEM-BrennstoffZeileneinheit einer BrennstoffZellenbatterie .The frame element is usually between a separator and a membrane in a PEM fuel cell unit of a fuel cell battery.
Bekannt ist die PEM-Brennstoffzellenbatterie mit abdichtendem Rahmenelement, bei der das Rahmenelement einstückig ausgebildet ist.The PEM fuel cell battery with a sealing frame element, in which the frame element is formed in one piece, is known.
Dieses Rahmenelement ist zumindest so lange teuer in der Her- Stellung, wie jeweils nur wenige Demonstratoren hergestellt werden, weil für jedes ein extra Spritzwerkzeug angefertigt werden muß. Zudem kann keine Änderung am fertigen Rahmenelement vorgenommen werden, weil es einstückig ist.This frame element is expensive to manufacture, at least as long as only a few demonstrators are manufactured, because an extra injection mold has to be made for each. In addition, no change can be made to the finished frame element because it is in one piece.
Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es daher, ein Rahmenelement für eine PEM-Brennstoffzelle zu schaffen, das kostengünstig herstellbar und leicht veränderbar ist. Außerdem ist es Aufgabe der Erfindung, ein Verfahren zu dessen Herstellung zur Verfügung zu stellen.It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a frame element for a PEM fuel cell which can be produced inexpensively and is easily changed. It is also an object of the invention to provide a method for its production.
Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß durch ein Rahmenelement in Laminat-Technik gelöst, das mehrere Schichten, die miteinander verbunden sind, umfaßt, wie es Gegenstand der Erfindung und des Anspruchs 1 ist. Außerdem ist Gegenstand der Erfin- düng ein Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Rahmenelements, bei dem mehrere Schichten aus kostengünstigem Material so aufein- ander gefügt werden, daß ein Rahmenelement in Laminat-Technik für eine PEM-Brennstoffzelle daraus entsteht.This object is achieved according to the invention by a frame element in laminate technology, which comprises several layers which are connected to one another, as is the subject of the invention and of claim 1. The invention also relates to a method for producing a frame element, in which several layers of inexpensive material are stacked on top of one another. be added that a frame element in laminate technology for a PEM fuel cell arises from it.
Nach einer vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung der Erfindung ist das Rahmenelement aus zumindest drei Schichten aufgebaut, wobei sich eine Kombination aus Duro- und Thermoplasten, genauso wie eines der Materialien, also Duro- oder Thermoplasten alleine als besonders vorteilhaft herausgestellt hat.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the frame element is constructed from at least three layers, a combination of thermosets and thermoplastics, as well as one of the materials, that is, thermosets or thermoplastics, having proven to be particularly advantageous.
Als Schichtmaterialien können alle Werkstoffe, die als Plattenware lieferbar sind - also alle Arten von Kunst- und Naturstoffen, ebenso wie Metalle- und die verklebt werden können, eingesetzt werden. Als Duroplasten seien beispielhaft Phenolharze genannt. Als Thermoplasten seien beispielhaft ge- nannt:All materials that are available as sheet goods - that is, all types of plastics and natural materials, as well as metals - that can be glued can be used as layer materials. Phenolic resins may be mentioned as examples of thermosets. Examples of thermoplastics are:
Polystyrol, PVC, Polycarbonat und Polysulfon.Polystyrene, PVC, polycarbonate and polysulfone.
Nach einer vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung der Erfindung werden die einzelnen Schichten miteinander verklebt.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the individual layers are glued together.
Nach einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform des Verfahrens werden zur Herstellung des Rahmenelements nur handelsüblich als Plattenware lieferbare Schichten eingesetzt.According to a preferred embodiment of the method, only commercially available sheets are used to produce the frame element.
Diese Platten werden zurecht geschnitten und/oder gestanzt, bevor sie miteinander verbunden werden. Unter „Stanzen" und/oder „Schneiden" versteht man in diesem Fall, daß das gesamte Rahmenelement aus der Platte herausgestanzt oder geschnitten wird und zusätzlich noch Strukturen für das Mani- folding eingebracht werden.These panels are cut and / or punched before they are joined together. In this case, “punching” and / or “cutting” is understood to mean that the entire frame element is punched out or cut from the plate and structures are additionally introduced for the manipulation.
Als „Strukturen für das Manifolding" bezeichnet man Strukturen, die nach dem Laminieren die Kanäle und/oder Leitungen zur Kühlmittel und/oder Prozeßgasver- und/oder Entsorgung und/oder die Bohrungen für die Zuganker ergeben. Nach einer anderen Ausführung des Verfahrens wird zumindest eine Schicht erst nach der Verbindung mit den anderen Schichten ausgeschnitten und/oder gestanzt.Structures for manifolding are structures which, after lamination, provide the channels and / or lines for the coolant and / or process gas supply and / or disposal and / or the bores for the tie rods. According to another embodiment of the method, at least one layer is cut out and / or punched only after the connection with the other layers.
Die Erfindung ersetzt die einstückigen Rahmenelemente, die bisher zur Randabdichtung in Demonstratoren für PEM- Brennstoffzellen verwendet wurden, durch mehrschichtige Rahmenelemente in Laminat-Technik.The invention replaces the one-piece frame elements that were previously used for edge sealing in demonstrators for PEM fuel cells by multilayer frame elements in laminate technology.
An der Ober- und/oder Unterseite, die jeweils die Grenzfläche zu der Membran, dem Separator oder dem weiteren Rahmenelement bildet, ist das Rahmenelement bevorzugt noch mit einer Schicht aus elastischem Material zur besseren Abdichtung ausgestattet. Diese elastische Schicht ist z.B. aus einem Sili- konkautschuk, der wiederum z.B. über ein Siebdruckverfahren aufgebracht wird. Ebenso kann diese Abdichtung aus einem anderen Material und über ein anderes Verfahren aufgebracht sein.On the top and / or underside, which in each case forms the interface to the membrane, the separator or the further frame element, the frame element is preferably also provided with a layer of elastic material for better sealing. This elastic layer is e.g. made of a silicone rubber, which in turn e.g. is applied via a screen printing process. This seal can also be applied from a different material and by a different method.
Bei einer Ausgestaltung ist auf der Seite des Rahmenelements, die an den Separator angrenzt, eine weitere elastische Zwischenschicht angebracht, so daß kleinere Fertigungsfehler in der Höhe des Separators oder andere kleine mechanische Unebenheiten, wie sie z.B. durch Quellung und/oder Schrumpfung der Membran bei der Konstruktion einer Brennstoffzellenbatte- rie entstehen, mühelos ausgeglichen werden können. Diese Schicht kann z.B. auch aus Silikonkautschuk gefertigt sein.In one embodiment, a further elastic intermediate layer is attached to the side of the frame element which adjoins the separator, so that minor manufacturing errors in the height of the separator or other small mechanical unevenness, such as those e.g. caused by swelling and / or shrinkage of the membrane in the construction of a fuel cell battery, can be easily compensated for. This layer can e.g. also be made of silicone rubber.
Als Laminat-Technik wird vorliegend die Bauweise eines Ele- ments bezeichnet, bei der sich die Höhe des Elements durch Stapelung und Verbinden einzelner, oft auch sehr dünner Schichten ergibt. Die einzelnen Schichten können dabei von der Gestaltung, der Form und dem Material her völlig verschieden sein, solange sie genügend sich deckende Fläche ha- ben, daß sie miteinander, z.B. durch Verkleben, verbunden werden können und ihre Materialien verbindbar sind. Im folgenden wird die Erfindung anhand eines Ausführungsbei- spiels weiter erläutert.In the present case, the design of an element is referred to as laminate technology, in which the height of the element results from stacking and connecting individual, often also very thin layers. The individual layers can be completely different in terms of their design, shape and material, as long as they have enough overlapping area that they can be connected to one another, for example by gluing, and their materials can be connected. The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment.
Figur 1 zeigt einen Querschnitt durch eine PEM- Brennstoffzelleneinheit im bipolaren Aufbau.Figure 1 shows a cross section through a PEM fuel cell unit in the bipolar structure.
Figur 2 zeigt eine Aufsicht auf ein Rahmenelement.Figure 2 shows a plan view of a frame element.
In Figur 1 erkennt man ganz oben und ganz unten jeweils einen Separator 1, der die gezeigte PEM-Brennstoffzelleneinheit nach unten und nach oben hin abschließt.In FIG. 1, a separator 1 can be seen at the top and at the bottom, which closes the PEM fuel cell unit shown at the bottom and at the top.
Anschließend an den Separator 1 ist im Randbereich der Zelle eine elastische Schicht 2 angeordnet. Darunter beginnt das eigentliche Rahmenelement 3 in Laminat-Technik. Das Rahmenelement 3 umfaßt vier Schichten 3a, 3b, 3c und 3d. Nicht alle Schichten haben dieselbe Form, wie am Beispiel 3a und 3b gezeigt wird. Schicht 3a ummantelt die Gasleitung 5, während Schicht 3b nur an die Gasleitung 5 angrenzt und damit den Prozeßgaseinlaß auf die aktive Zellfläche bildet.Following the separator 1, an elastic layer 2 is arranged in the edge region of the cell. Below this, the actual frame element 3 begins using the laminate technique. The frame element 3 comprises four layers 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d. Not all layers have the same shape, as shown in example 3a and 3b. Layer 3a encases the gas line 5, while layer 3b only adjoins the gas line 5 and thus forms the process gas inlet on the active cell surface.
Die einzelnen Schichten sind mit einer Klebeschicht 4 verbunden. Bei der Herstellung ist es unerheblich, auf welcher Schicht der Kleber und/oder ob er ein- oder beidseitig aufge- tragen wird. Als Kleber empfiehlt sich wegen der einfachen Handhabung von vorgefertigten Teilen z.B. ein Schmelzkleber, es kann jedoch auch ein Zwei-Komponenten-Kleber, ein Ein- Komponentenkleber und/oder ein UV-härtbarer Kleber verwendet werden.The individual layers are connected with an adhesive layer 4. During production, it is irrelevant on which layer the adhesive and / or whether it is applied on one or both sides. Because of the easy handling of prefabricated parts it is advisable to use e.g. a hot melt adhesive, but a two-component adhesive, a one-component adhesive and / or a UV-curable adhesive can also be used.
Auf der Unterseite des Rahmenelements 3 befindet sich die Abdichtungsschicht 6. Diese Schicht besteht bevorzugt aus Silikonkautschuk und/oder Neopren und wird z.B. über ein Siebdruckverfahren auf die äußere Laminat-Schicht aufgebracht. Damit wird zur Membran 7 hin abgedichtet. Auf der anderen Seite der Membran 7 ist dieselbe Bauweise wie oben beschrieben noch mal realisiert. Die PEM-Brennstoffzelle wird wieder von einem Separator 1 abgeschlossen. Je nach Aufbau der Brennstoffzellenbatterie kann ein Rahmenelement auch auf einem weiteren Rahmenelement aufliegen, d.h. die Erfindung ist nicht auf den hier als Ausfuhrungsform gezeigten bipolaren Schichtaufbau einer Brennstoffzelle in einer Brennstoffzellenbatterie beschrankt. Insbesondere eignet sie sich genauso z.B. für den monopolaren Aufbau einer Batterie.The sealing layer 6 is located on the underside of the frame element 3. This layer preferably consists of silicone rubber and / or neoprene and is applied, for example, to the outer laminate layer using a screen printing process. This seals against the membrane 7. On the other side of the membrane 7, the same construction as described above is implemented again. The PEM fuel cell is again closed by a separator 1. Depending on the structure of the fuel cell battery, a frame element can also rest on a further frame element, ie the invention is not limited to the bipolar layer structure of a fuel cell in a fuel cell battery shown here as an embodiment. In particular, it is also suitable, for example, for the monopolar structure of a battery.
Figur 2 zeigt eine Aufsicht auf ein Rahmenelement 3, auf eine der Schichten 3a bis 3d.FIG. 2 shows a top view of a frame element 3, of one of the layers 3a to 3d.
Das Rahmenelement gehört zu eine Brennstoffzelle mit quadra- tischer Form. Ein Rahmenelement nach der Erfindung kann jedoch auch für Brennstoffzellen mit beliebigen anderen Formen realisiert werden. Im Rahmenelement sind eine Reihe von Offnungen 8 zu sehen, die verschiedenen Zwecken dienen können: Sie sind entweder Bestandteil einer Prozeßgaszu- oder Ablei- tung, Bestandteil einer Bohrung für z.B. einen Zuganker, mit dem die PEM-Brennstoffzellenbatterie m Filterpressentechnik zusammengehalten wird, oder sind Bestandteil eines Kuhlmit- telkreislaufs .The frame element belongs to a fuel cell with a square shape. However, a frame element according to the invention can also be implemented for fuel cells with any other shape. A number of openings 8 can be seen in the frame element, which can serve different purposes: They are either part of a process gas supply or discharge line, part of a bore for e.g. a tie rod with which the PEM fuel cell battery is held together using filter press technology, or are part of a coolant circuit.
Bei der Herstellung eines Rahmenelements 3 werden mehrereWhen producing a frame element 3, several
Schichten 3a bis 3d miteinander so verbunden, daß die jeweiligen Offnungen für Prozeßgasleitung oder Bohrung aufeinander zu liegen kommen.Layers 3a to 3d are connected to one another in such a way that the respective openings for the process gas line or bore come to lie on one another.
Die Herstellung des Rahmenelements in Laminat-Technik erfordert im Gegensatz zu den bekannten keine teuren Spritzwerkzeuge und ist kurzfristig realisierbar. Änderungen an dem Rahmenelement können schnell und billig durchgeführt werden, weshalb sich die Erfindung insbesondere für den Bau von De- monstratoren, bei denen oft Veränderungen gewünscht werden, eignet. Der Einbau einer elastischen Schicht auf der zu dem Separator hin gewendeten Seite des Rahmenelements ermöglicht es, auch nicht-federnde Separatoren einzusetzen, weil mechanischer Druck über die elastische Schicht abgefangen wird. Ebenso kann eine axiale Längenänderung der PEM- Brennstoffzellenbatterie über die elastische Schicht abgefangen werden. In contrast to the known ones, the production of the frame element in laminate technology does not require expensive injection molds and can be implemented at short notice. Changes to the frame element can be carried out quickly and cheaply, which is why the invention is particularly suitable for the construction of demonstrators, in which changes are often desired. The installation of an elastic layer on the side of the frame element facing the separator makes it possible to also use non-resilient separators because mechanical pressure is absorbed by the elastic layer. An axial change in length of the PEM fuel cell battery can also be absorbed via the elastic layer.

Claims

Patentansprüche claims
1. Rahmenelement zur Randabdichtung einer PEM-Brennstoffzelle, das sich über den gesamten Rand der Brennstoffzelle er- streckt und das mehrere Schichten in Laminat-Technik umfaßt.1. Frame element for the edge sealing of a PEM fuel cell, which extends over the entire edge of the fuel cell and which comprises several layers in laminate technology.
2. Rahmenelement nach Anspruch 1, das zumindest drei Schichten umfaßt.2. Frame element according to claim 1, which comprises at least three layers.
3. Rahmenelement nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, das thermoplastische und/oder duroplastische Schichten umfaßt.3. Frame element according to one of the preceding claims, which comprises thermoplastic and / or thermosetting layers.
4. Rahmenelement nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, das Prozeßgas- und/oder sonstige Leitungen und/oder Bohrungen integriert hat.4. Frame element according to one of the preceding claims, which has integrated process gas and / or other lines and / or bores.
5. Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Rahmenelements, bei dem mehrere Schichten so aufeinander gefügt werden, daß ein Rahmenelement in Laminat-Technik nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4 daraus entsteht.5. A method for producing a frame element in which a plurality of layers are joined to one another so that a frame element in laminate technology according to one of claims 1 to 4 arises therefrom.
6. Verfahren nach Anspruch 5, bei dem die Schichten teilweise vor dem Aneinanderfügen geschnitten und gestanzt werden.6. The method of claim 5, wherein the layers are partially cut and punched before joining.
7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 5 oder 6, bei dem handelsübliche Plattenware zu den Laminat-Schichten des Rahmenelements verarbeitet werden. 7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, are processed in the commercially available plate goods to the laminate layers of the frame element.
PCT/DE1999/003278 1998-10-30 1999-10-12 Frame element for a laminated pem fuel cell and production method thereof WO2000026979A1 (en)

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WO2001089019A1 (en) * 2000-05-18 2001-11-22 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Fuel cell stack with frame elements
EP1333514A1 (en) * 2002-01-31 2003-08-06 SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG Sealing frame for fuel cell stack
EP1465272A2 (en) * 2003-04-02 2004-10-06 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Sealing structure for a fuel cell
NL1027443C2 (en) * 2004-11-08 2006-05-09 Nedstack Holding B V Preparation of membrane-electrode structures for fuel cells involves application of coating which improves adhesion
EP1808922A1 (en) * 2006-01-11 2007-07-18 Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. Fuel cell with sealing frame comprising contacts for measuring cell voltage
WO2007088049A1 (en) * 2006-02-02 2007-08-09 Umicore Ag & Co. Kg Membrane-electrode assembly having a multicomponent sealing rim
DE102021209033A1 (en) 2021-08-18 2023-02-23 Robert Bosch Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Process for producing a membrane electrode assembly, membrane electrode assembly and fuel cell

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001089019A1 (en) * 2000-05-18 2001-11-22 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Fuel cell stack with frame elements
EP1333514A1 (en) * 2002-01-31 2003-08-06 SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG Sealing frame for fuel cell stack
WO2003065486A1 (en) * 2002-01-31 2003-08-07 Sfc Smart Fuel Cell Ag Sealing frame for fuel cell stacks
EP1465272A2 (en) * 2003-04-02 2004-10-06 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Sealing structure for a fuel cell
EP1465272A3 (en) * 2003-04-02 2007-02-21 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Sealing structure for a fuel cell
US7276310B2 (en) 2003-04-02 2007-10-02 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, electrolyte membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell, and a fuel cell
NL1027443C2 (en) * 2004-11-08 2006-05-09 Nedstack Holding B V Preparation of membrane-electrode structures for fuel cells involves application of coating which improves adhesion
EP1808922A1 (en) * 2006-01-11 2007-07-18 Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. Fuel cell with sealing frame comprising contacts for measuring cell voltage
WO2007088049A1 (en) * 2006-02-02 2007-08-09 Umicore Ag & Co. Kg Membrane-electrode assembly having a multicomponent sealing rim
JP2009525572A (en) * 2006-02-02 2009-07-09 ユミコア・アクチエンゲゼルシャフト・ウント・コムパニー・コマンディットゲゼルシャフト Membrane-electrode assembly having a multi-component sealing rim
DE102021209033A1 (en) 2021-08-18 2023-02-23 Robert Bosch Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Process for producing a membrane electrode assembly, membrane electrode assembly and fuel cell

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