WO2008026773A1 - Module de pile à combustible et pile à combustible - Google Patents

Module de pile à combustible et pile à combustible Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008026773A1
WO2008026773A1 PCT/JP2007/067349 JP2007067349W WO2008026773A1 WO 2008026773 A1 WO2008026773 A1 WO 2008026773A1 JP 2007067349 W JP2007067349 W JP 2007067349W WO 2008026773 A1 WO2008026773 A1 WO 2008026773A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
case
fuel cell
cell module
unit cells
fuel
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2007/067349
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Hideo Nagaosa
Original Assignee
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha filed Critical Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
Publication of WO2008026773A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008026773A1/fr

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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
    • H01M8/002—Shape, form of a fuel cell
    • H01M8/004—Cylindrical, tubular or wound
    • 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
    • H01M8/2418—Grouping by arranging unit cells in a plane
    • 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
    • H01M8/2457—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with both reactants being gaseous or vaporised
    • 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
    • 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
    • H01M8/2484—Details of groupings of fuel cells characterised by external manifolds
    • H01M8/2485—Arrangements for sealing external manifolds; Arrangements for mounting external manifolds around a stack
    • 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
    • H01M8/249—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells comprising two or more groupings of fuel cells, e.g. modular assemblies
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2250/00—Fuel cells for particular applications; Specific features of fuel cell system
    • H01M2250/20—Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
    • 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
    • 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
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04007—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids related to heat exchange
    • 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
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
    • H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
    • 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
    • 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
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02T90/40—Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fuel cell module, a fuel cell, and a vehicle, and particularly relates to a fuel cell module that can be easily manufactured, a fuel cell that can accommodate the fuel cell module , andavehicle in which the fuel cell can be mounted.
  • a fuel cell extracts electric energy generated by an electrochemical reaction produced in each membrane electrode assembly (hereinafter, “MEA”) that includes an electrolyte layer (hereinafter, “electrolyte membrane”) and electrodes (an anode and a cathode) arranged on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane, respectively to outside of the fuel cell via power collectors (hereinafter, “collectors”) arranged on both sides of the MEA, respectively.
  • a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (hereinafter, “PEFC”) employed in a home cogeneration system, a motor vehicle or the like, in particular, can operate in a low temperature region.
  • each unit cell of the tube PEFC (hereinafter, “tube fuel unit cell”) normally includes a hollow MEA that includes a hollow electrolyte membrane and catalyst layers arranged on an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface of the electrolyte membrane, respectively.
  • a hydrogen-based gas and an oxygen-based gas are supplied to the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the MEA, thereby producing an electrochemical reaction, and electric energy generated by this electrochemical reaction is extracted to the outside via collectors arranged on the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the MEA, respectively.
  • the tube PEFC extracts the generated energy by supplying one reaction gas (such as hydrogen-based gas) and the other reaction gas (such as the oxygen-based gas) to the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the MEA included in each tube fuel unit cell, respectively. Therefore, the identical reaction gas can be used between two adjacent unit cells to the outer peripheral surfaces of which the reaction gas is supplied. Accordingly, the tube PEFC can dispense with separators required for a conventional flat PEFC and having gas shielding functions, thereby making it possible to make the unit cells of the tube PEFC small in size .
  • a fuel cell disclosed therein is configured by accommodating in an outer case a cell cartridge that is an assembly of two or more cell modules each including a pair of electrodes arranged on an inner surface and an outer surface of a hollow electrolyte membrane and collectors in contact with the pair of electrodes, wherein the cell cartridge includes the two or more cell modules; a fixing unit fixing the cell modules to one another; a module connector electrically connecting the collectors of the respective cell modules to one another; and an anode output unit and a cathode output unit integrating anodes of the connected cell modules with one another and integrating cathodes of the connected cell modules with one another, respectively, and wherein the outer case includes an accommodating unit accommodating the two or more cell cartridges; a cartridge connector electrically connecting the anode output unit and the cathode output unit of each of the accommodated cell cartridges to each other; and an anode output
  • the fuel cell has advantages in that it does not take labor and time for assembly and disassembly and in that excellent operation and maintenance are ensured. Furthermore, the cell cartridge including a plurality of cell modules arranged three-dimensionally is shown in the drawing of the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2005-353494.
  • the fuel cell disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-353494 has the following disadvantages. If a plurality of tube fuel unit cells is arranged three-dimensionally in the outer case, it is difficult to position the tube fuel unit cells and to ensure sealing all the tube fuel unit cells arranged three-dimensionally. As a result, it is difficult to manufacture the fuel cell. Due to this, it is difficult to repair and replace the fuel cell.
  • an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell module that is easy to manufacture, a fuel cell that can accommodate the fuel cell module, and a vehicle in which the fuel cell can be mounted.
  • the present invention has the following aspects.
  • a fuel cell module comprising: a plurality of tube fuel unit cells; and a case member accommodating the plurality of tube fuel unit cells, wherein the plurality of tube fuel unit cells is arranged in parallel and in line on a flat surface.
  • Each of the tube fuel unit cells included in the fuel cell module according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a hollow MEA that includes a hollow electrolyte membrane and a pair of catalyst layers arranged on an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface of the electrolyte membrane, respectively.
  • Collectors are arranged on an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface of the MEA, respectively.
  • the reducing agent supplied to the MEA include hydrogen-based gas
  • specific examples of the oxidizing agent supplied to the MEA include oxygen-based gas.
  • the "plurality of tube fuel unit cells is arranged in parallel and in line on a flat surface" means in the present invention that the plurality of tube fuel unit cells electrically connected in parallel is arranged in line two-dimensionalIy (on plane). The same shall apply hereafter.
  • the case member includes a first case and a second case, and at least central portions of the plurality of tube fuel unit cells are held between the first case and the second case.
  • the first case is made of a conductive member and the second case is made of an insulating member.
  • the first case includes concave portions in which an adhesive capable of adhesively fixing the first case to the plurality of tube fuel unit cells can be arranged.
  • the second case includes concave portions inwhichan adhesive capable of adhesively fixing the second case to the plurality of tube fuel unit cells can be arranged.
  • the case member includes a first end case in which one end side of the plurality of tube fuel unit cells can be accommodated; and a second end case in which other end side of the plurality of tube fuel unit cells can be accommodated, that the first case is connected to the first end case and the second end case, and the second case is connected to the first end case and the second end case, and that the central portions of the plurality of tube fuel unit cells are held between the first case and the second case, the one end side of the plurality of tube fuel unit cells is accommodated in the first end case, and the other end side of the plurality of tube fuel unit cells is accommodated in the second end case.
  • the first case includes first allowance means that can allow a difference in thermal expansion and contraction between the plurality of tube fuel unit cells and the case member.
  • the “first allowance means” is not limited to specific one as long as the means can suppress deformations of the tube fuel unit cells resulting from the difference in thermal expansion and contraction between the tube fuel unit cells and the case member.
  • Specific examples of a configuration of the first allowance means include a configuration in which the case member is divided and divided parts of the case member are connected to each other, thereby constituting the case member in the fuel cell module according to the first aspect of the present invention, and a configuration in which a gap that can allow the difference in thermal expansion and contraction is formed in a connected portion of the case member.
  • each of the first case and the second case is configured to be dividable and connectable, and that the difference in the thermal expansion and contraction is allowed by connecting one divided part of the case member to other divided part of the case member.
  • first case is divided into a first member and a second member and the second case is divided into a third member and a fourth member
  • first case is constituted by connecting the first member and the second member divided from the first case to each other
  • second case is constituted by connecting the third member and the fourth member divided from the second case to each other .
  • each or one of a connected portion of a divided first case and a connected portion of a divided second case includes an allowance unit that can allow the difference in the thermal expansion and contraction between the plurality of tube fuel unit cells and the case member.
  • each or one of a connected portion of a divided first case and a connected portion of a divided second case includes an allowance unit that can allow the difference in the thermal expansion and contraction between the plurality of tube fuel unit cells and the case member" means, for example, as follows.
  • first case is divided into a first member and a second member and the second case is divided into a third member and a fourth member
  • an allowance unit e.g., a gap; the same shall apply hereafter
  • first connected portion a configuration in which the allowance unit that can allow the difference in thermal expansion and contraction is provided only in a connected portion between the third member and the fourth member divided from the second case
  • second connected portion a configuration in which the allowance unit that can allow the difference in thermal expansion and contraction is provided in each of the first connected portion and the second connected portion is assumed .
  • the case member includes second allowance means that can allow a difference in thermal expansion and contraction between the first case and the second case.
  • the “second allowance means” is not limited to specific ones as long as the means can suppress a deformation of an outer shape of the case member by allowing the difference in thermal expansion and contraction between the first case and the second case.
  • Specific examples of a configuration of the second allowance means include a configuration in which a first case material constituting the first case and a second case material constituting the second case are selected so that the difference in linear thermal expansion coefficient between the first case material and the second case material is within a predetermined range.
  • the difference in the thermal expansion and contraction between the first case and the second case is allowed by selecting a first case material constituting the first case and a second case material constituting the second case so that an absolute value of a difference in a linear thermal expansion coefficient between the first case material and the second case material is equal to or smaller than 5xlO "6 [ 0 C "1 ] .
  • the linear expansion coefficient of a die-casting material commercially available at this time is about 2IxIO "6 [ 0 C “1 ] to about 25xlO "6 [ 0 C “1 ] .
  • the second case material the linear expansion coefficient of which is about 2IxIO "6 [ 0 C “1 ] to about 25xlO ⁇ 6 [ 0 C "1 ] is selected (e.g. , phenol resin or glass fiber reinforced resin)
  • the first case material and the second case material can be selected so that the absolute value is equal to or smaller than 5xlO "6 [ 0 C "1 ] .
  • the case member includes third allowance means that can allow a difference in thermal expansion and contraction between the first case member and each or one of the first end case and the second end case.
  • a configuration of the "third allowance means" include a configuration in which a gap is formed in each or one of connected portions between the first case and the first end case and between the first case and the second end case, and a configuration in which each or one of the first end case and the second end case is formed by a material (e.g., fluorine-based rubber or silicon rubber) that can be transformed to follow the thermal expansion or contraction when the first case thermally expands or contracts.
  • a material e.g., fluorine-based rubber or silicon rubber
  • the difference in the thermal expansion and contraction that can be allowed by the first allowance means, the difference in the thermal expansion and contraction that can be allowed by the second allowance means, and the difference in the thermal expansion and contraction that can be allowed by the third allowance means is allowed by providing an allowance unit in each or one of a connected portion between the first case and the first end case and a connected portion between the first case and the second end case.
  • the case member includes fourth allowance means that can allow a difference in thermal expansion and contraction between the second case and each or one of the first end case and the second end case.
  • fourth allowance means include a configuration in which an allowance unit is provided in each or one of connected portions between the second case and the first end case and between the second case and the second end case, and a configuration in which each or one of the first end case and the second end case is formed by a material (e.g., fluorine-based rubber or silicon rubber) that can be transformed to follow the thermal expansion or contraction when the second case thermally expands or contracts .
  • the difference in the thermal expansion and contraction that can be allowed by the first allowance means, the difference in the thermal expansion and contraction that can be allowed by the second allowance means, the difference in the thermal expansion and contraction that can be allowed by the third allowance means , and the difference in the thermal expansion and contraction that can be allowed by the fourth allowance means is allowed by providing an allowance unit in each or one of a connected portion between the second case and the first end case and a connected portion between the second case and the second end case.
  • a manifold for a fluid supplied to the plurality of fuel unit cells is constituted by a part of the case member.
  • a plurality of the manifolds for fluids is provided in parallel in the case member accommodating ends of the plurality of fuel unit cells.
  • each of a plurality of tube fuel unit cells included in the fuel cell module according to the first aspect of the present invention includes the hollow MEA on the surface of a central portion of the internal collector.
  • the hollow MEA is not provided on a surface of ends of the internal collector and the surface of the ends of the internal collector is exposed in the case member.
  • the reducing agent (or oxidizing agent) is supplied to the inner peripheral surface of the hollow MEA via the exposed surface of the ends of the internal collector.
  • the case member accommodating ends of the plurality of fuel unit cells means a part of the case member accommodating the internal collector the surface of which is exposed in the case member.
  • a plurality of the manifolds for fluids is provided in parallel” means that a plurality of fluid manifolds is provided on each of one end side and the other end side of a plurality of fuel unit cells.
  • ⁇ a plurality of the manifolds for fluids is provided in parallel means the manifolds Al and Bl are provided on a central portion side of the fuel unit cells, the manifold A2 is provided outside of the manifold Al, and the manifold B2 is provided outside of the manifold Bl.
  • the fluids are a heat medium that can control a temperature of the plurality of fuel unit cells and gas supplied to the plurality of fuel unit cells, and that the manifold for the gas is provided in the central portions of the plurality of fuel unit cells and the manifold for the heat medium is provided outside of the manifold for the gas.
  • a seal member is provided on a peripheral edge of the manifold for the fluid.
  • seal member a material that can constitute the seal member used for ensuring airtightness of each unit cell of a conventional flat PEFC or the like can be used.
  • a fuel cell comprising: a plurality of stacked fuel cell modules; and an external case member accommodating the plurality of stacked fuel cell modules, wherein each of the plurality of stacked fuel cell modules includes a plurality of tube fuel unit cells; and a case member accommodating the plurality of tube fuel unit cells inside, the plurality of tube fuel unit cells being arranged in parallel and in line on a flat surface.
  • the case member includes a current-carrying unit to and from which a current can be carried from and to the fuel cell module adjacent to each of the fuel cell modules.
  • the case member includes a current-carrying unit to and from which a current can be carried from and to the fuel cell module adjacent to each of the fuel cell modules
  • the case member of one of two adjacent fuel cell modules among a plurality of stacked fuel cell modules includes a current-carrying unit to and from which a current can be carried from and to the other fuel cell module.
  • each of the stacked fuel cell modules includes the case member that includes a unit to and from which a current can be carried from and to the other fuel cell module adjacent to each fuel cell module.
  • the current-carrying unit to and from which the current can be carried from and to the fuel cell module adjacent to each of the fuel cell module is provided to penetrate the case member.
  • the current-carrying unit to and from which the current can be carried from and to the fuel cell module adjacent to each of the fuel cell module is provided to penetrate the case member means that the case member of one of two adjacent fuel cell modules among a plurality of stacked fuel cell modules includes a current-carrying unit to and from which a current can be carried from and to the other fuel cell module, and that the current-carrying unit is provided to penetrate the case member of the one of the fuel cell module.
  • each of the stacked fuel cell modules includes the current-carrying unit to and from which a current can be carried from and to the other fuel cell module adjacent to each fuel cell module.
  • the plurality of stacked fuel cell modules is constrained by a constraint member.
  • the "constraint member” is not limited to a specific one as long as the constraint member can constrain a plurality of stacked fuel cell modules without falling in a temperature environment at least equal to or higher than -4O 0 C and equal to or lower than 120°C.
  • the constraint member including a band made of a metal typified by aluminum or the like or one of various resins can be used.
  • the external case member includes gas supply means that can supply gas to the plurality of stacked fuel cell modules.
  • the "gas supply means" is not limited to a specific one as long as the means can supply the gas to a plurality of fuel cell modules.
  • Specific examples of the gas supply means include an electric fan capable of supplying oxygen-based gas to a plurality of fuel cell modules .
  • a seal member is provided between the plurality of stacked fuel cell modules and the external case member.
  • the "seal member" is not limited to a specific one as long as the member can function to allow the gas supplied from the gas supply means can efficiently arrive at a plurality of fuel cell modules when the fuel cell operates.
  • Specific examples of a material of the seal member include a material that can constitute the seal member used for ensuring airtightness of each unit cell of the conventional flat PEFC or the like.
  • each of the fuel cell modules is the fuel cell module according to the first aspect of the present invention.
  • a vehicle in which the fuel cell according to the second aspect of the present invention is mounted, wherein the gas supply means is provided on a front side of the vehicle.
  • the "front side” means the front side of the vehicle including the fuel cell including the gas supply means .
  • a plurality of tube fuel unit cells is arranged in parallel and in line on a flat surface. It is, therefore, possible to provide the fuel cell module that can easily and surely seal a plurality of tube fuel unit cells. Further, since the tube fuel unit cells are arranged in parallel and in line on the flat surface, the collectors included in the respective unit tube fuel cells can be arranged in line on the flat surface. It is, therefore, possible to provide the fuel cell module capable of easily collecting power. Moreover, since the tube fuel unit cells are arranged in parallel and in line on the flat surface, it is easy to position the tube fuel unit cells accommodated inside. It is, therefore, possible to provide the fuel cell module that can be easily manufactured.
  • the fuel cell module that can facilitate electrically connecting a plurality of tube fuel unit cells in series by being configured so that the case member includes the first case and the second case, the first case is made of the conductive member, and so that the second case is made of the insulating member .
  • the fuel cell module it is possible to improve operativity during manufacturing by configuring the fuel cell module so that each or one of the first case and the second case includes concave portions in which adhesive can be arranged.
  • the ends of the tube fuel unit cells are accommodated in different members (the first end case and the second end case) from the member accommodating the central portions of the tube fuel unit cells. It is thereby possible to suppress deformations of the tube fuel unit cells resulting from the difference in thermal expansion and contraction between the case member and the tube fuel unit cells. Besides, by configuring the fuel cell module so that the case member includes the first allowance unit, the above-stated advantage can be exhibited more conspicuously.
  • the fuel cell module by configuring the fuel cell module so that the case member includes the second to fourth allowance means, it is possible to prevent deformation of the case member accommodating the tube fuel unit cells inside and/or deformations of the tube fuel unit cells resulting from the difference in thermal expansion and contraction between the case member and the tube fuel unit cells . It is thereby possible to improve sealing performance and/or suppress deterioration in power generation performance of the tube fuel unit cells.
  • the fluid manifold is constituted by a part of the case member, thereby making it possible to suppress an increase in the number of constituent elements of the fuel cell module .
  • the fuel cell module so that fluid manifolds are arranged in parallel, it is possible to downsize the fuel cell module.
  • the seal member is provided on a peripheral edge of the manifold, it is possible to provide the fuel cell module that can ensure sealing the fluid.
  • a plurality of tube fuel unit cells is arranged in parallel and in line on a flat surface . Itis, therefore, possible to provide the fuel cell module that can ensure sealing the tube fuel unit cell, that can easily collect power, and that can be easily manufactured. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the fuel cell that can improve sealing performance and power collection efficiency and that can be easily manufactured.
  • the fuel cell is configured so that the case member includes a current-carrying unit and/or so that the current-carrying unit is provided to penetrate the case member. It is thereby possible to provide the fuel cell that can facilitate electrically connecting a plurality of stacked fuel cell modules in series.
  • the fuel cell by configuring the fuel cell so that a plurality of stacked fuel cell modules is constrained by the constraint member, it is possible to simplify the structure of the fuel cell. It is also possible to apply a pressure necessary to reduce contact resistances among the fuel cell modules via the constraint member.
  • the fuel cell by configuring the fuel cell so that the external case member includes the gas supply means, it is possible to supply a large amount of reaction gas to a plurality of tube fuel unit cells . It is thereby possible to improve power generation performance of the fuel cell. Furthermore, by configuring the fuel cell so that the seal member is provided between the plurality of stacked fuel cell modules and the external case member, the above-stated advantage can be further improved.
  • the fuel cell according to the second aspect of the present invention includes the fuel cell modules according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily improve the sealing performance and the power collection efficiency and easily manufacture the fuel cell.
  • a traveling wind amplified by the gas supply means can be supplied to a plurality of tube fuel unit cells. It is, therefore, possible to provide the vehicle in which the fuel cell is mounted and which can improve efficiency for utilization of the traveling wind.
  • FIG. 1 is a top view showing a fuel cell module according to a first embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG.2 is a side view of the fuel cell module according to the first embodiment
  • FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the fuel cell module according to the first embodiment
  • FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of a region indicated by a dotted line shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an X-X cross-section shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. ⁇ is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell module according to the first embodiment taken along a line Y-Y of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state of stacking a plurality of fuel cell modules according to the first embodiment
  • FIG. 8 is a top view showing a fuel cell module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a side view of the fuel cell module according to the second embodiment
  • FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the fuel cell module according to the second embodiment
  • FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a Z-Z cross-section shown in FIG. 8;
  • FIG. 12 is a schematic enlarged view of a region indicated by symbol C in FIG. 11;
  • FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state of stacking a plurality of fuel cell modules according to the second embodiment
  • FIG. 14 is a side view of the fuel cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 15 is a top view of the fuel cell according to the third embodiment.
  • FIG. 16 is a front view showing a state before a plurality of fuel cell modules is constrained
  • FIG. 17 is a front view showing a state after a plurality of fuel cell modules is constrained
  • FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram taken along a line XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 17;
  • FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of constraint means
  • FIG. 20 is a top view of a fuel cell according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram taken along a line XXI-XXI of FIG. 20.
  • a fuel cell module and a fuel cell according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
  • Embodiments in which an oxygen-based gas (hereinafter, “air”) and a hydrogen-based gas (hereinafter, “hydrogen”) are supplied to an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface of a hollow MEA included in each tube fuel unit cell, respectively, and in which a cooling medium is supplied to the tube fuel unit cell will be described below.
  • the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.
  • the hydrogen can be supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the hollow MEA and the oxygen can be supplied to the inner peripheral surface thereof.
  • a heating medium can be supplied to the hollow MEA in place of the cooling medium.
  • FIG. 1 is a top view schematically showing a fuel cell module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing the fuel cell module according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 3 is a bottom view schematically showing the fuel cell module according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of a region indicated by a dotted line shown in FIG. 1, and shows a plurality of tube fuel unit cells accommodated in the fuel cell module of the present invention by a dashed line.
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the fuel cell taken along a line X-X of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of the fuel cell module taken along a line Y-Y of FIG.2.
  • FIG.7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state of stacking a plurality of fuel cell modules according to the first embodiment.
  • reference symbols are partially not shown for brevity of illustration.
  • a straight arrow indicates a direction of gravity.
  • a direction perpendicular to a page space corresponds to the direction of gravity.
  • the fuel cell module according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described appropriately with reference to Figs. 1 to 7.
  • a fuel cell module 100 As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, a fuel cell module 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention include a first case 10 and a second case 20 serving as a case member as a whole. Cooling medium manifolds 31 and 32 and hydrogen manifolds 33 and 34 are provided on both ends of each of the first case 10 and the second case 20 formed integrally with each other, respectively. An air inlet 35 is formed on a side surface of the case member. When the fuel cell module 100 operates, a cooling medium
  • the cooling medium that has cooled tube fuel unit cells (e.g., LLC) is supplied from upward in a direction of gravity.
  • the cooling medium that has cooled tube fuel unit cells (e.g., LLC) is supplied from upward in a direction of gravity.
  • unit cells 50 is discharged from downward in the direction of gravity.
  • unit cells since hydrogen is lighter than the air, the hydrogen is supplied from downward in the direction of gravity and moved to upward in the direction of gravity.
  • the hydrogen that is not used in the unit cells 50 is discharged from upward in the direction of gravity and collected.
  • Beaded gaskets 40 are arranged on peripheries of the cooling medium manifolds 31 and 32 and the hydrogen manifolds 33 and 34 and vulcanized and bonded to the first case 10. If a plurality of fuel cell modules 100 configured as stated above is stacked and a compressive pressure is applied to a stacking direction of the stacked fuel cell modules 100, the beaded gaskets 40 function as a seal member (see FIG. 7) .
  • a plurality of unit cells contained in the fuel cell module 100 is arranged in parallel and in line on a flat surface, and the unit cells 50 are held between the first case 10 and the second case 20.
  • the first case 10 is formed by, for example, plating a surface of an aluminum die-casting material molded into a predetermined shape with gold.
  • the second case 20 is formed by, for example, molding a glass fiber reinforced resin (FRP) that is an insulating material into a predetermined shape .
  • FRP glass fiber reinforced resin
  • each of the unit cells 50 heldbetween the first case 10 and the second case 20 includes an internal collector 52, which includes a cooling medium channel 55 inside and a plurality of reaction gas channels 54 formed on its outer surface, a hollow MEA 51 arranged on an outer surface of the internal collector 52, and an external collector 53 wound on an outer surface of the MEA 51.
  • an insulating sheet member hereinafter, simply "insulating sheet"
  • the external collector 53 contacts with a plurality of external collecting plates 56 in regions each indicated by symbol B in FIG. 5, and the internal collector 52 contacts with the first case 10 in regions each indicated by symbol A in FIG. 5.
  • Each of the internal collector 52, the external collector 53, and the external collecting plates 56 is made of a conductive material, e.g., copper, plated with gold.
  • concave portions 11, 12, and 13 in which adhesive can be arranged are formed in the first caselO
  • concave portions 21 , 22, and 23 in which adhesive can be arranged are formed in the second case 20. Due to this, the adhesive is arranged in the concave portions 21, 22, and 23.
  • the unit cells 50 are arranged in parallel and in line on the flat surface on the second case 20 in which the external collectors 56 are arranged in holes 24 for the respective external collectors 56.
  • the insulating sheet 57 is arranged on the external collectors 53 included in the unit cells 50 arranged on the second case 20.
  • the first case 10 in which the adhesive is arranged in the concave portions 11, 12, and 13 is arranged so that the concave portions 11 of the first case 10 face the concave portions 21 of the second case 20.
  • the fuel cell module 100 is configured so that a plurality of unit cells 50 is arranged in parallel and in line on the flat surface. Therefore, by fixing the first case 10, the unit cells 50, and the second case 20 to one another by the adhesive, it is possible to easily and surely seal all the unit cells 50. Moreover, as described later, a plurality of unit cells 50 accommodated in the fuel cell module 100 can be positioned only by arranging the unit cells 50 on the external collectors 56. Besides, because the unit cells 50 are arranged in parallel and in line on the flat surface, all the unit cells 50 can be contacted with the first case 10 via the regions each indicated by the symbol A shown in FIG. 5. This can facilitate collecting power of the anode side.
  • the fuel cell module 100 according to the first embodiment can not only be manufactured easily but also improve positioning performance for positioning the unit cells 50, sealing property, and power collection efficiency.
  • the cooling medium is supplied from a cooling medium inlet 31a of the cooling medium manifold 31 located upward in the direction of gravity.
  • a part of the cooling medium flowing from the cooling medium inlet 31a is branched to the cooling medium channels 55 of the respective unit cells 50 via the cooling medium manifold 31, thereby flowing into the cooling medium channels 55 of the respective unit cells 50.
  • the remaining cooling medium flowing in the fuel cell module 100 from the cooling medium inlet 31a flows out of the fuel cell module 100 via a cooling medium outlet 31b, and flows in the other fuel cell modules 100 adjacent to the fuel cell module 100 and stacked together with the fuel cell module 100 from their cooling medium inlets 31a (see FIG. 7) .
  • the cooling medium flowing from the cooling medium manifold 31 into the cooling medium channels 55 cools the unit cells 50 while flowing in the cooling medium channels 55, thus functioning to keep each MEA 51 at a predetermined temperature (e.g., about 80°C) .
  • a predetermined temperature e.g. 80°C
  • hydrogen is supplied to the fuel cell module 100 from a hydrogen inlet 33a of the hydrogen manifold 33 located downward in the direction of gravity.
  • a part of the hydrogen flowing in the fuel cell module 100 from the hydrogen inlet 33a is branched into the reaction gas channels 54 of a plurality of unit cells 50 via the hydrogen manifold 33, thereby flowing into the reaction gas channels 54 of the unit cells 50 and supplying the hydrogen from reaction gas channels 54 to inner peripheral surfaces of the MEAs 51.
  • the remaining hydrogen flowing from the hydrogen inlets 33a flows out of the fuel cell module 100 from hydrogen outlets 33b, and flows into the other fuel cell modules 100 adjacent to the fuel cell module 100 and stacked together with the fuel cell module 100.
  • the hydrogen supplied onto the inner peripheral surfaces of the MEAs 51 is used later for the electrochemical reactions produced in the respective MEAs 51, and the power of the anode side of each the MEA 51 is collected via the internal collectors 52 and the first case 10.
  • the hydrogen that is not used for the electrochemical reactions in the MEAs 51 arrives later at the hydrogen manifold 34 located upward in the direction of gravity.
  • the hydrogen arriving at the hydrogen manifold 34 as stated above as well as the hydrogen flowing in the fuel cell module 100 from the adjacent other fuel cell modules 100 via the hydrogen inlets 34a flows out of the fuel cell module 100 from the hydrogen outlet 34b and is collected.
  • the cooling medium and the hydrogen are supplied to the unit cells 50 via the cooling medium manifold 31 and the hydrogen manifold 33 constituted by a part of the case member, and flow out of the fuel cell module 100 via the cooling medium manifold 32 and the hydrogen manifold 34 constituted by a part of the case member.
  • the fuel cell module 100 is configured so that the cooling medium manifolds 31 and 32 and the hydrogen manifolds 33 and 34 are constituted by a part of the case member and arranged in parallel. It is, therefore, possible to suppress an increase in the number of constituent elements of the fuel cell module 100 and to facilitate downsizing the fuel cell module 100. Moreover, as shown in Figs.
  • the fuel cell module 100 is configured so that the beaded gaskets 40 are provided around the cooling medium manifolds 31 and 32 and the hydrogen manifolds 33 and 34 (to be precise, the cooling medium inlets 31a and 32a, the cooling medium outlets 31b and 32b, the hydrogen inlets 33a and 34a, and the hydrogen outlets 33b and 34b) . It is, therefore, possible to ensure sealing the hydrogen and the cooling medium.
  • the cooling medium manifolds 31 and 32 are arranged outside of the hydrogen manifolds 33 and 34. Due to this, the hydrogen supplied in supercooled state can be heated by the cooling medium supplied via the cooling medium manifolds 31 and 32, and the heated hydrogen can be supplied to the unit cells 50.
  • the air is supplied to the outer peripheral surfaces of the MEAs 51 via the air inlet 35 provided on the side surface of the fuel cell module 100.
  • the air supplied to the outer peripheral surfaces of the MEAs 51 is used for the electrochemical reactions in the MEAs 51, and the power of the cathode side is collected via the external collectors 53 and the external collecting plate 56.
  • the air that is not used for the electrochemical reactions in the MEAs 51 is discharged from an air outlet (not shown) provided on a side surface of the fuel cell module 100 opposite to the side surface on which the air inlet 35 is provided, to the outside of the fuel cell module 100.
  • the external collecting plate 56 provided on the fuel cell module 100 includes concave portions on the unit cell 50 side.
  • the concave portions are formed to correspond to the respective external collectors 53. Therefore, in the fuel cell module 100, the unit cells 50 can be positioned only by arranging the unit cells 50 in the respective concave portions of the external collecting plate 56 in parallel and in line on the flat surface. It is, therefore, possible to easily assemble (manufacture) the fuel cell module 100.
  • a plurality of fuel cell modules 100 is stacked so that the external collecting plates 56 contact with the first cases 10, respectively. Duetothis, according to the first embodiment, a plurality of fuel cell modules 100 can be connected in series via the external collecting plates 56 serving as conductive members and the first cases 10.
  • the first case 10 is made of aluminum die-casting material the surface of which is plated with gold
  • the second case 20 is made of FRP .
  • a linear thermal expansion coefficient of the aluminum die-casting material is about 2IxIO '6 [ 0 C “1 ] to about 25xlO "6 [ 0 C "1 ]
  • that of FRP constituting the second case 20 is similarly about 2IxIO "6 [ 0 C "1 ] to about 25xlO "6 [ 0 C "1 ] .
  • an absolute value of the difference in linear thermal expansion coefficient between the material constituting the first case 10 and the material constituting the second case 20 is equal to or smaller than 5xlO ⁇ 6 [ 0 C "1 ] . Due to this, in the fuel cell module 100, the difference in thermal expansion/contraction between the first case 10 and the second case 20 is small. If the difference in thermal expansion/contraction is large, a deformation may possibly occur to the case member of the fuel cell module 100 such as a gap that possibly occurs between the first case 10 and the second case.
  • the fuel cell module 100 according to the first embodiment can suppress the deformation of the case member deriving from the difference in thermal expansion/contraction.
  • the fuel cell module according to the present invention is no limited to the instance.
  • the first case 10 and the second case 20 are adhesively fixed to each other by the adhesive arranged in the concave portions 11 and 21
  • the internal collector 52 is adhesively fixed to the first case 10 and the second case 20 by the adhesive arranged in the concave portions 12 and 22
  • the MEAs 51, the first case 10, and the second case 20 are adhesively fixed to one another by the adhesive arranged in the concave portions 13 and 23. Namely, both ends of a plurality of unit cells 50 accommodated in the fuel cell module 100 are fixed to one another by the adhesive.
  • a temperature of the fuel cell module 100 possibly change in a range, for example, between -40°C and 120 0 C. Due to this, a plurality of unit cells 50 accommodated in the fuel cell module 100 is possibly thermally expanded or thermally contracted.
  • the fuel cell module 100 at least the MEAs 51, the first case 10, and the second case 20 are made of different materials . Duetothis, the first case 10 differs from the unit cells 50 in thermal expansion and contraction rates, the second case 20 differs from the unit cells 50 in thermal expansion and contraction rates. Accordingly, it is considered that stress resulting from the differences in thermal expansion and contraction rates may be possibly generated in the fuel cell module 100.
  • the fuel cell module 100 preferably includes the first case 10 and the second case 20 constituted by, for example, connecting two or more dividable/connectable members.
  • FIG. 8 is a top view schematically showing a fuel cell module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a side view schematically showing the fuel cell module according to the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 10 is a bottom view schematically showing the fuel cell module according to the second embodiment.
  • FlG. 11 is an enlarged view of a Z-Z cross section shown in FIG. 8.
  • FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged view of a region indicated by C shown in FIG. 11.
  • FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state of stacking a plurality of fuel cell modules according to the second embodiment.
  • reference symbols are partially not shown for brevity of illustration.
  • the fuel cell module according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 13.
  • the fuel cell module according to the second embodiment includes a plurality of tube fuel unit cells arranged in parallel and in line on a flat surface similarly to the fuel cell module 100 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the fuel cell module according to the second embodiment can exhibit the same advantages as those of the fuel cell module according to the first embodiment by arranging the tube fuel unit cells in parallel and in line on the flat surface.
  • a fuel cell module 200 includes a first case 61 and a second case 62 between which central portions of unit cells 50 can be held, and a first end case 63 and a second end case 64 in which ends of the unit cells 50 can be accommodated.
  • the first end case 63 includes a cooling medium manifold 31 and a hydrogen manifold 34.
  • the second end case 64 includes a cooling medium manifold 32 and a hydrogen manifold 33.
  • the first case 61 is an integral member formed by plating a surface of an aluminum die-casting material molded into a predetermined shapewithgold.
  • the secondcase 62 is formed by molding a glass fiber reinforced resin (FRP) that is an insulating material into a predetermined shape.
  • FRP glass fiber reinforced resin
  • Each of the first end case 63 and the second end case 64 is formed by molding phenol resin into a predetermined shape.
  • the first case 61 is connected to the first end case 63 via a fitting claw 63e, and gaps 63f are formed as margins in a portion in which the first case 61 is connected to the first end case 63.
  • first case 61 is connected to the second end case 64
  • second case 62 is connected to the first end case 63
  • second case 62 is connected to the second end case 64 via similar fitting claw to the fitting claw 63e, respectively, and similar gaps (margins) to the gaps 63f are formed in respective connected portions.
  • the first end case 63 and an internal collector 52 are adhesively fixed to each other by adhesive arranged in concave portions 63a, 63b, 63c, and 63d, thereby ensuring sealing a cooling medium and hydrogen.
  • the second end case 64 and the internal collector 52 are adhesively fixed to each other by adhesive arranged in concave portions 64a, 64b, 64c, and 64d, thereby ensuring sealing the cooling medium and the hydrogen.
  • the first case 61, the second case 62, and the unit cells 50 are not adhesively fixed to one another.
  • the only end is adhesively fixed to the first end case 63 and the second end case 64, and the first end case 63 and the second end case 64 is connected to the first case 61 and the second case 62 via the gaps (margins) . Even if the unit cells 50 thermally expand or thermally contract, the deformations resulting from the thermal expansion or thermal contraction can be absorbed (allowed) by the gaps (margins). Therefore, the fuel cell module 200 can suppress deformations of the unit cells 50.
  • a plurality of fuel cell modules 200 is stacked so that external collecting plates 56 of one fuel cell module 200 contact with first cases 61 of the other fuel cell modules 200 adjacent to the fuel cell module 200.
  • the first case 61 contacts with the internal collector 52 in regions each indicated by symbol A shown in FIG. 11. Due to this, in the fuel cell module 200, the power of the anode side is collected via the internal collector 52 and the first case 61.
  • the external collecting plates 56 contact with the external collector 53 in regions each indicated by symbol B shown in FIG. 11. Due to this, in the fuel cell module 200, the power of the cathode side is collected via the external collector 53 and the external collecting plates 56. Therefore, by stacking a plurality of fuel cell modules 200 in the manner shown in FIG. 13, the fuel cell modules 200 can be electrically connected in series.
  • the fuel cell module according to the present invention is not limited to the example.
  • the fuel cell module may be configured so that the gaps (margins) serving as allowance means are formed only in the connected portions between the first end case and the first case and between the first end case and the second case or in the connected portions between the second end case and the first case and between the second end case and the second case.
  • the fuel cell module 200 As stated in this embodiment if the gaps (margins) serving as the allowance means are to be provided in the case member.
  • the allowance means provided in the fuel cell module according to the present invention is not limited to the example.
  • the fuel cell module may be configured to suppress the deformations of theunit cells resulting from the difference in thermal expansion/contraction by forming the first end case and/or the second end case out of a material (e.g., fluorine-based rubber or silicon rubber) that can absorb the stress resulting from the difference in thermal expansion/contraction.
  • a material e.g., fluorine-based rubber or silicon rubber
  • each of the first and second cases between which the central portions of the unit cells 50 are held may be configured to include two members dividable or connectable in the central portions of the unit cells 50.
  • the example in which the beaded gaskets serving as the seal member are vulcanized and bonded to the first case has been described.
  • the fuel cell module according to the present invention is not limited to the example.
  • the seal member is preferably adhesively fixed to the first case because such troubles as falling of the seal member during the assembly of the fuel cell module can be avoided and operativity of the fuel cell module during the assembly can be improved.
  • the fuel cell module of the present invention the example in which the conductive member constituting the first case and the insulating member constituting the second case are close in linear thermal expansion coefficient has been described.
  • the fuel cell module according to the present invention is not limited to the example.
  • the first and second cases are made of materials greatly different in linear thermal expansion coefficient, respectively, then the difference in thermal expansion/contraction amount increases between the first case and the second case, the case member constituted by the first and second cases deforms, and the sealing property for sealing the cooling medium and/or the hydrogen may possibly be deteriorated. Therefore, with a view of maintaining the sealing property for sealing the cooling medium and/or the hydrogen high, it is preferable to make the first and second cases out of materials close in linear thermal expansion coefficient.
  • the "conductive member” and the “insulating member” are not limited to specific ones as long as the members can be used in a temperature environment at least equal to or higher than -40°C and equal to or lower than 120 0 C.
  • the "conductive member” and the “insulating member” have corrosion-resistance that enables resisting the equivalent environment to that of the single unit cell of the flat PEFC while the flat PEFC operates.
  • Specific examples of the "conductive member” include metals typified by aluminum, silver, platinum, and gold.
  • the “insulating member” is not limited to a specific one as long as the member can be moldable. Specific examples of the “insulating member” include engineering plastic, phenol resin, and FRP.
  • the external collecting plates in contact with the external collectors are provided in the second case and provided to be contactable with the first cases of the fuel cell modules adjacent to the fuel cell module when a plurality of fuel cell modules is stacked
  • the external collecting plate is not limited to specific one. If a plurality of fuel cell modules is stacked to form a fuel cell stack (hereinafter "stack") , pressure is applied to the stack from both ends of the stack to reduce contact resistances among the fuel cell modules.
  • each external collecting plate slightly protrudes outward from the second case (by, for example, about 50 ⁇ m to 100 ⁇ m) so as to be able to electrically connect a plurality of fuel cell modules in series by contacting the external collecting plate with the first case while the pressure is being applied to the stack.
  • the fuel cell module of the present invention is preferably configured so that the external collecting plates are caught up in the second case while the pressure is being applied to the stack.
  • each fuel cell module can be configured so that holes having T-shaped cross sections are formed in the portions of the second case in which portions the external collecting plates are to be arranged, the external collecting plates are formed to have T-shaped cross sections corresponding to the respective holes, and so that the external collecting plates are arranged in the holes of the second case.
  • the case member accommodating a plurality of unit cells is configured to include a plurality of cases.
  • the fuel cell module according to the present invention is not limited to the example.
  • the case member may be configured to include a single case. Even if the case member is configured to include a single case, the positioning of the unit cells and power collection can be easily performed as long as a plurality of unit cells accommodated in the case member is arranged in parallel and in line on the flat surface. Therefore, it is possible to provide the fuel cell module easy to manufacture. Nevertheless, it is preferable that the case member is configured to include a plurality of cases so as to make assembly easier.
  • the fuel cell module can be easily manufactured and facilitate power collection. Besides, it is possible to facilitate positioning the unit cells. Due to this, from another point of view, the fuel cell module according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention can be easier to disassemble than the conventional fuel cell module including tube fuel unit cells, and improved maintenance and replacement performances can be, therefore, ensured. 2. Fuel cell and vehicle including fuel cell
  • FIG. 14 is a side view of a fuel cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 14 schematically shows arrangement of a plurality of stacked fuel cell modules, cooling medium pipes, hydrogen pipes, end plates, and electrode elements.
  • straight arrows indicate a direction of gravity.
  • FIG. 15 is a top view of the fuel cell according to the third embodiment.
  • FIG. 15 schematically shows arrangement of a plurality of stacked fuel cell modules, the cooling medium pipes, the hydrogen pipes, electrode terminals, and an external case.
  • dotted-line arrows indicate a direction of air current.
  • a direction perpendicular to a page space corresponds to a direction of gravity.
  • a fuel cell 1000 according to the third embodiment includes a plurality of full cell modules 100 electrically connected in series, a manifold-integrated end plate 505 (hereinafter, "manifold 505"), an end plate 506, and electrode elements 601 and 602. Cooling medium pipes 501 and 502 and hydrogen pipes 503 and 504 are connected to the manifold 505. Pressure application means (not shown) applies a pressure capable of reducing contact resistances among the fuel cell modules 100 to the fuel cell 1000 from both ends of a stacking direction of the fuel cell modules 100. In the fuel cell 1000, hydrogen supplied via the hydrogen pipe 503 is supplied to the fuel cell modules 100 via the manifold 505 and used for power generation.
  • Hydrogen discharged from the fuel cell modules 100 is collected via the manifold 505 and the hydrogen pipe 504.
  • a cooling medium supplied via the cooling medium pipe 501 is supplied to the fuel cell modules 100 via the manifold 505, and the cooling medium discharged from the fuel cell modules 100 is collected via the manifold 505 and the cooling medium pipe 502.
  • the external collecting plates 56 included in the outermost fuel cell module 100 (that is, the leftmost fuel cell module 100 in Figs. 14 and 15) among the fuel cell modules 100 electrically connected in series are connected to the electrode element 601.
  • the first case 10 included in the outermost fuel cell module 100 opposite to the leftmost fuel cell module 100 that is, the rightmost fuel cell module 100 in Figs. 14 and 15
  • the fuel cell 1000 can extract electric energy via the electrode elements 601 and 602.
  • the fuel cell 1000 includes an external case 700 and the respective constituent elements shown in FIG. 14 are accommodated in the external case 700.
  • the external case 700 includes an opening in which a plurality of air-permeable transparent films 701 that can exclude dusts and motes can be arranged. The air passed through the transparent films 701 is supplied to the fuel cell modules 100.
  • the fuel cell 1000 includes the fuel cell modules 100 easy to manufacture. Therefore, it is possible to provide the fuel cell 1000 that can be easily manufactured.
  • the fuel cell 1000 includes the fuel cell modules 100
  • the fuel cell according to the present invention is not limited to the example.
  • the fuel cell may be configured to include the fuel cell modules 200, to include the fuel cell modules 100 and 200, or to include the fuel cell modules 100 or 200 according to the first or second embodiment each including the first case and second case dividable/connectable in a central portion.
  • the fuel cell module according to the present invention can be easily manufactured, it is possible to provide the fuel cell that can be easily manufactured even if the fuel cell 1000 includes the fuel cell modules according to the present invention other than the fuel cell modules 100.
  • the fuel cell modules 100 are stacked in line in the fuel cell.
  • the fuel cell according to the present invention is not limited to the example.
  • the fuel cell modules may be stacked in two or more lines as shown in FIG. 17 to be described later.
  • FIG. 16 and 17 are front views of a plurality of fuel cell modules included in a fuel cell according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 16 schematically shows a state before a plurality of fuel cell modules is constrained by constraint means
  • FIG. 17 schematically shows a state after a plurality of fuel cell modules is constrained by the constraint means.
  • FIG. 18 is a schematic view taken along a line XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 17.
  • FIG.19 is a schematic diagram of the constraint means .
  • FIG. 20 is a top view schematically showing a vehicle-mounted fuel cell according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 20, a lower sideofthepagespacecorrespondstofrontsideofa vehicle.
  • FIG. 20 is a top view schematically showing a vehicle-mounted fuel cell according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 20, a lower sideofthepagespacecorrespondstofrontsideofa vehicle.
  • FIG. 20 is a top view schematically showing a vehicle
  • FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram taken along a line XXI-XXI of FIG. 20.
  • straight arrows indicate a direction of gravity.
  • constituent elements ormembers similar in configuration to those shown in Figs. 1 to 15 are denoted by the same reference symbols as those used in Figs. 1 to 15 and will not be described herein.
  • constituent elements or members similar in configuration to those shown in Figs. 16 to 19 are denoted by the same reference symbols as those used in Figs. 16 to 19 and will not be described herein.
  • the fuel cell according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs . 1 to 21.
  • a fuel cell 2000 includes fuel cell module stacks 171 to 174.
  • Each of the fuel cell module stacks 171 to 174 includes a plurality of fuel cell modules 100.
  • An end plate 175 is provided on one end of the fuel cell module stacks 171 to 174 and a manifold-integrated endplate 176 is provided on the other end thereof.
  • Cooling medium pipes 501 and 502 and hydrogen pipes 503 and 504 are connected to the manifold-integrated end plate 176.
  • a constraint member 177 is arranged around the fuel cell module stacks 171 to 174, the end plate 175, and the manifold-integrated end plate 176 (hereinafter, generically "stack constituent elements”) .
  • the constraint member 177 constrains the stack constituent elements (see Figs. 17 and 18) .
  • current-carrying plates each configured to include a conductive member are provided in portions indicated by ⁇ , ⁇ , ⁇ , respectively. All the fuel cell modules 100 constituting the respective fuel cell module stacks 171 to 174 are electrically connected in series via the current-carrying plates.
  • the external collecting plates 56 included in the fuel cell module 100 arranged on one end of the fuel cell module stack 171 are connected to the electrode element 601.
  • the first case 10 included in the fuel cell module 100 arranged on one end of the fuel cell module stack 174 is connected to the electrode element 602. Accordingly, the fuel cell 2000 can extract electric energy via the electrode elements 601 and 602.
  • the constraint member 177 constrains the stack constituent elements and the fuel cell module stacks 171 to 174 are electrically connected in series. In this case, it is desired to apply a compressive pressure in a stacking direction of the fuel cell module stacks 171 to 174 via the end plate 175 and the manifold-integrated end plate 176 so as to reduce contact resistances among the fuel cell modules 100.
  • the compressive pressure can be applied via the constraint member 177. Therefore, by adjusting a constraint degree of the constraint member 177, the compressive pressure applied to the fuel cell modules 100 can be adjusted.
  • the constraint member 177 may be configured arbitrarily as long as it can hold the fuel cell modules 100 so that the fuel cell modules 100 do not fall by constraining the stack constituent elements.
  • the constraint member 177 may be configured to include a constrainer 177a and a band 177b. If the constraint member 177 is configured as shown in FIG. 19, a material of the band 177b is not limited to a specific one as long as the material can exhibit the above-stated functions of the constraint member 177 in a temperature environment of, for example, -40°C to 120°C. Specific examples of the material of the band 177b include metals typified by aluminum and various resins.
  • the band 177b is preferably made of a high-strength material so that the constraint member 177 can apply the compressive pressure to be able to reduce the contact resistances among the fuel cell modules 100.
  • the high-strength material include metals typified by aluminum and glass fiber reinforced resins (FRPs) .
  • the fuel cell 2000 is configured so that a plurality of fuel cell modules 100, the end plate 175, and the manifold-integrated end plate 176 constrained by the constraint member 177, a seal member 803, emergency shutdown relays 804, a service plug 805, and a high-voltage wiring 806 are accommodated in an external case 800.
  • the external case 800 includes an opening in which a plurality of air-permeable transparent films 801 that can exclude dusts and motes can be arranged, and electric fans 802 serving as gas supply means capable of supplying the air to the fuel cell modules 100.
  • a traveling wind arriving at the fuel cell 2000 by starting operation of a vehicle in which the fuel cell 2000 is mounted is amplified by the electric fans 802, and the amplified traveling wind (air) is supplied to the fuel cell modules 100.
  • the amplified air is supplied to the fuel cell modules 100 and a part of the air is supplied to high-voltage elements such as the service plug 805 and the high-voltage wiring 806 while bypassing the stack constituent elements constrained by the constraint member 177 so as to cool the high-voltage elements.
  • the electric fans 802 are elements mainly intended to be able to supply a large amount of air to the fuel cell modules 100.
  • the fuel cell 2000 is configured so that the seal member 803 is arranged between the external case 800 and the stack constituent elements so that the air bypassing the stack constituent elements constrained by the constraint member 177 and arriving at the high-voltage elements resides as a part of the remainder . In this manner, by configuring the fuel cell 2000 so that the electric fans 802 is supplied to the fuel cell modules 100 and that the air supplied to the high-voltage elements resides as a part of the remainder . Due to this, the fuel cell 2000 is configured so that the seal member 803 is arranged between the external case 800 and the stack constituent elements so that the air bypassing the stack constituent elements constrained by the constraint member 177 and arriving at the high-voltage elements resides as a part of the remainder . In this manner, by configuring the fuel cell 2000 so that the electric fans
  • the traveling wind can be efficiently supplied to the fuel cell modules 100 and efficiency for supplying the air to the outside of the unit cells 50 of the fuel cell modules 100 can be improved. It is eventually possible to improve power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 2000.
  • the seal member 803 is not limited to a specific one as long as the material can exhibit the above-stated functions of the seal member 803.
  • Specific examples of the material of the seal member 803 include fluorine-based rubber, silicon rubber, and resins typified by engineering plastic.
  • the seal member 803 is made of an insulating material with a view of suppression of the short circuit and the like during the operation of the fuel cell 2000.
  • a material of the external case 800 is not limited to a specific one.
  • the external case 800 is made of a light metal typified by aluminum, a glass fiber reinforced high-strength resin or the like so as to ensure light weight fuel cell 2000 and easily ensure rigidity of the fuel cell 2000 when the fuel cell 2000 is mounted in the vehicle.
  • the fuel cell according to the present invention is not limited to the example.
  • the fuel cell may be configured to include the fuel cell modules 200, to include the fuel cell modules 100 and 200, or to include the fuel cell modules 100 or 200 according to the first or second embodiment each including the first case and second case dividable/connectable in a central portion.
  • the fuel cell module according to the present invention can be easily manufactured, it is possible to provide the fuel cell that can be easily manufactured even if the fuel cell 2000 includes the fuel cell modules according to the present invention other than the fuel cell modules 100.
  • the example in which the fuel cell includes the manifold-integrated end plate has been described .
  • the fuel cell according to the present invention is not limited to the example.
  • the fuel cell may be configured so that a manifold and an end plate are separately provided to be connected to each other so that the cooling medium and the hydrogen can flow in and flow out.

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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

L'invention concerne un module de pile à combustible (100) comprenant une pluralité de cellules d'unité de combustible en tube (50) et deux boîtiers (10, 20) recevant ces cellules d'unité de combustible en tube à l'intérieur, ces cellules d'unité de combustible en tube étant agencées en parallèle et en ligne sur une surface plate.
PCT/JP2007/067349 2006-08-31 2007-08-30 Module de pile à combustible et pile à combustible WO2008026773A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2006-236588 2006-08-31
JP2006236588A JP2008059942A (ja) 2006-08-31 2006-08-31 燃料電池モジュール及び燃料電池

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008026773A1 true WO2008026773A1 (fr) 2008-03-06

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JP (1) JP2008059942A (fr)
WO (1) WO2008026773A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN115050983A (zh) * 2021-03-09 2022-09-13 通用汽车环球科技运作有限责任公司 带有集成燃料箱安装系统的推进电池组

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4910707B2 (ja) 2007-01-05 2012-04-04 トヨタ自動車株式会社 燃料電池

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH04292866A (ja) * 1991-03-20 1992-10-16 Ngk Insulators Ltd 発電装置
US5273839A (en) * 1989-07-28 1993-12-28 Ngk Insulators, Ltd. Fuel cell generator
JP2000182652A (ja) * 1998-12-15 2000-06-30 Kansai Electric Power Co Inc:The 固体電解質型燃料電池アセンブリ及び固体電解質型燃料電池モジュール
WO2002099917A2 (fr) * 2001-06-04 2002-12-12 Acumentrics Corporation Systemes de tubes pour piles a combustible horizontales et procedes correspondants
US6506511B1 (en) * 1998-05-16 2003-01-14 Qinetiq Limited Multi-element fuel cell system
WO2005008826A1 (fr) * 2003-07-22 2005-01-27 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Assemblage de cellules a combustible resistant aux sollicitations thermiques a l'interieur d'un boitier
WO2005018973A1 (fr) * 2003-08-26 2005-03-03 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Corps mobile
WO2005122317A2 (fr) * 2004-06-11 2005-12-22 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Cellule de combustible

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5273839A (en) * 1989-07-28 1993-12-28 Ngk Insulators, Ltd. Fuel cell generator
JPH04292866A (ja) * 1991-03-20 1992-10-16 Ngk Insulators Ltd 発電装置
US6506511B1 (en) * 1998-05-16 2003-01-14 Qinetiq Limited Multi-element fuel cell system
JP2000182652A (ja) * 1998-12-15 2000-06-30 Kansai Electric Power Co Inc:The 固体電解質型燃料電池アセンブリ及び固体電解質型燃料電池モジュール
WO2002099917A2 (fr) * 2001-06-04 2002-12-12 Acumentrics Corporation Systemes de tubes pour piles a combustible horizontales et procedes correspondants
WO2005008826A1 (fr) * 2003-07-22 2005-01-27 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Assemblage de cellules a combustible resistant aux sollicitations thermiques a l'interieur d'un boitier
WO2005018973A1 (fr) * 2003-08-26 2005-03-03 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Corps mobile
WO2005122317A2 (fr) * 2004-06-11 2005-12-22 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Cellule de combustible

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN115050983A (zh) * 2021-03-09 2022-09-13 通用汽车环球科技运作有限责任公司 带有集成燃料箱安装系统的推进电池组

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