WO2023117694A1

WO2023117694A1 - Fuel cell device with flat component, and method for producing a fuel cell device with flat component, and system therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2023117694A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/086160
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arno BAYER
Original assignee: Ekpo Fuel Cell Technologies Gmbh
Priority date: 2021-12-21
Filing date: 2022-12-15
Publication date: 2023-06-29
Also published as: DE102021134080A1

Abstract

In order to improve a fuel cell device comprising at least one fuel cell unit which has at least one metallic flat component, it is proposed that, in a passage region, the flat component has at least one through opening, that is to say precisely one through opening or a plurality of through openings, and an edge of at least one through opening is at least substantially burr-free.

Description

Fuel cell device with a flat component and method for producing a fuel cell device with a flat component and system therefor

The invention relates to a fuel cell device comprising at least one fuel cell unit having at least one, in particular, metallic flat component, and a method for producing a fuel cell device comprising at least one fuel cell unit, wherein the at least one fuel cell unit has at least one, in particular, metallic flat component, and a system for producing a fuel cell device comprising at least one fuel cell unit , wherein the at least one fuel cell unit has at least one flat component, in particular a metallic one.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a flat component, a method for producing a flat component, and a system for producing a flat component.

The object on which the invention is based is to improve a fuel cell device and/or a flat component and/or a method for producing the same and/or the same and/or a system for producing the same and/or the same.

In the case of embodiments of a fuel cell device and/or a flat component, this object is achieved in that the metallic flat component, in particular at least one flat product of the flat component, has at least one through-opening in a passage area, i.e. exactly one through-opening or a plurality of through-openings, and an edge of at least one through-opening is at least essentially free of burrs. One advantage of this is in particular that in the case of the through-opening with an at least essentially burr-free edge, loosening of material parts at the edge is at least reduced, preferably at least essentially prevented, and thus contamination of a fluid flowing through the through-opening and/or of a fluid flowing past the through-opening is at least reduced, preferably at least substantially prevented.

For example, one advantage of the through-opening with an at least substantially burr-free edge is that it can be dimensioned smaller than through-openings in the prior art.

In particular, one advantage of this solution is that in the case of the through opening with an at least substantially burr-free edge, essentially no material residues protrude beyond the edge and thus the risk of damage to components arranged adjacent to the flat component by material residues, in particular sharp-edged, protruding beyond the edge is at least reduced. for example, is at least substantially eliminated.

In particular, the flat component is essentially formed from at least one flat product, in particular a metallic flat product, that is to say exactly one flat product or a plurality of, for example two or three, flat products.

In particular, a respective flat product has two opposing flat sides.

In particular, in embodiments of a flat component made from only one flat product, its flat sides form the outer sides of the flat component. In embodiments of a flat component made of several flat products, a respective outward-facing flat side of two external flat products forms two areal outer sides of the flat component and the inward-facing flat sides of these two flat products and, if a third and, for example, further flat products are provided, their flat sides are of a respective one Flat side facing an adjacent arranged flat product.

In particular, the several flat products, insofar as they are at least essentially the same, are described together below. In particular, with reference to one or the flat product, it should be provided that exactly one flat product or one of the several flat products, preferably at least some, for example all, of the several flat products, has/have the described feature and/or that a respective or corresponding flat product has the described feature.

With regard to advantageous configurations of the one through-opening or the several through-openings, no further details have so far been given.

In the following, a reference to "a through-opening" or to "at least one through-opening" in connection with a feature is to be understood in such a way that exactly one through-opening or one of the several through-openings has the feature or at least some, for example all, of the several through-openings has this feature.

In particular, precisely one through-opening or each of the several through-openings in the at least one flat product has a free passage space which extends between the two flat sides of the at least one flat product and is designed to open on both flat sides. In particular, the exactly one through opening or each of the several through openings extends in a respective through direction through the flat component, in particular through the corresponding flat product. The respective passage direction is preferably oriented at least essentially perpendicularly to a local profile of the flat side in the area of the passage opening.

In particular, in the case of a through-opening, the flat product forms a respective edge which encloses the respective through-opening and has an edge surface which delimits the respective through-free space transversely to the through-through direction.

In advantageous embodiments, it is provided that in the case of a through-opening with an at least substantially burr-free edge, the edge surface delimiting a through-opening space of this through-opening has a very low level of roughness, with the low roughness, in particular an average peak-to-valley height, being at most 20 μm, in particular at most 10 μm .

Advantageously, in the case of a through-opening with an at least essentially burr-free edge, the through-opening is essentially free of material residues protruding into its free passage space.

In particular, this means that the risk of contamination of a fluid flowing through the passage opening and/or past it by taking along material residues is at least reduced.

In addition, the through-opening is produced more precisely in this way and can be made smaller, for example. For example, such material residues remain in production processes of the prior art if the material present in the area of the through-opening to be produced is melted for removal, but residues of the melt, in particular drops of the same, remain hanging and remain on the edge of the through-opening to be produced and thus in the through-opening space protruding material residues form.

In particular, an at least substantially burr-free passage opening has at least substantially no bulge protruding at least approximately in the direction of a normal to its edge surface into its passage free space.

In particular, the edge surface runs along a direction in a closed manner around the passage space of its through-opening, the direction of run in particular varying locally along the course of the edge surface, so that the closed course of the edge surface is formed.

In particular, the course direction runs along at least approximately the entire course of the edge surface, at least essentially perpendicularly to the passage direction of the passage opening.

In particular, an at least substantially burr-free passage opening is at least substantially free of bulges, which extend at least approximately perpendicularly to the direction of the edge surface and the passage direction of the passage opening over the edge surface into the passage space.

Alternatively or additionally, in advantageous embodiments of a fuel cell device comprising at least one fuel cell unit having at least one flat component and/or a flat component, the object on which the invention is based is also achieved in that the in particular metallic flat component, in particular at least one flat product of the flat component, has at least one has a through-opening, i.e. has exactly one through-opening or a plurality of through-openings, and in the case of at least one through-opening, an edge surface delimiting a through-opening space of this through-opening extends in the direction of a through-opening through-direction with a deviation of at most 10° from this through-opening, preferably with a deviation of at most 5 ° extends from this direction of passage.

It is therefore provided in particular that the edge surface extending between the two flat sides of the at least one flat product, which at least essentially forms or also forms the flat component, in the direction of the passage direction deviates at most slightly in its extension from the orientation of the passage direction, namely preferably at most 10°, in particular at most 5°.

In particular, the angle between the direction in which the edge surface extends from one flat side to the other flat side and the passage direction is also called the taper angle, and advantageous embodiments therefore provide for the taper angle to be at most 10°, preferably at most 5°.

In particular, the precisely one through-opening or the plurality of through-openings have two respective expansion dimensions, which are measured transversely, preferably at least approximately perpendicularly, to the respective through-opening.

In particular, one of the two expansion dimensions corresponds to a maximum expansion of the respective passage opening transversely, in particular at least approximately perpendicularly, to the respective passage direction and the other of the two expansion dimensions corresponds to a minimum expansion of the respective passage opening transversely, in particular at least approximately perpendicularly, to the respective passage direction. In preferred embodiments, it is provided that at least one through opening in the passage area has at least one of its dimensions measured transversely to the direction of passage, in particular a smaller dimension of two dimensions measured transversely to the direction of passage, is smaller than 200 square meters, preferably smaller than 100 square meters, in particular is less than 50 square meters, for example is less than 30 square meters.

In particular, at least one dimension of the through-openings, for example a width thereof, is at least 10 square meters and/or at most 500 square meters. In particular, this is the smaller of the two dimensions of expansion.

In particular, at least one dimension of the through-openings, in particular the larger of the two dimensions, for example a length of the through-openings, is at least 10 square meters and/or at most 5,000 square meters.

The precisely one through-opening or the plurality of through-openings can have the most varied of geometric configurations.

In some favorable embodiments, at least one passage opening in the passage area is designed as an elongated hole. In particular, in the case of the elongated hole, the edge surface in a main section has two opposite sections running at least approximately parallel to one another, and the edge surface is curved in end sections adjoining opposite ends of the main section, so that the curved sections of the edge surface meet the sections running at least approximately parallel to one another connect. For example, the two dimensions of the slot are its longitudinal extension from one of the two end sections to the other end section and the other dimension is a width with which the two at least approximately parallel sections of the edge surface are spaced apart from one another.

In some favorable embodiments, at least one passage opening in the passage area is designed as a round hole. In particular, the edge surface of the round hole runs at least essentially along a geometric circle, which is arranged in a plane running at least essentially perpendicularly to the passage direction.

In particular, an expansion dimension of the round hole is a diameter of the same, which in particular corresponds at least essentially to the diameter of the geometric circle along which the edge surface runs at least essentially.

In some advantageous embodiments, at least one through-opening has two sides that run at least approximately parallel to one another and are spaced apart from one another, in particular by one dimension.

For example, at least one through-opening has an at least essentially rectangular cross-sectional shape, for example an at least essentially square cross-sectional shape. In particular, the at least one passage opening has the cross-sectional shape in a cross-sectional plane running essentially perpendicular to the passage direction.

For example, the corner radii of the at least one through-opening are rounded with an at least essentially rectangular cross-sectional shape. In particular, in the case of the through-opening with a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, its length and width are its expansion dimensions.

Alternatively or additionally, the object on which the invention is based is also achieved by a flat component and/or a fuel cell device which comprises at least one fuel cell unit having at least one metallic flat component, wherein the flat component, in particular at least one flat product of the flat component, has at least one passage area which is perforated.

For example, the perforated passage area enables a fluid to be guided in a favorable manner.

Preferably, at least some, for example all, of the through openings forming the perforation in the through area have one or more of the features explained above.

Provision is preferably made for the at least one perforated passage area to have a large number of passage openings no larger than 50 μm, in particular no larger than 30 μm. In particular, at least one extension dimension, preferably both extension dimensions, of the passage openings in the perforated passage area is at most 30 μm.

Preferably, a total cross-sectional area uncovered by the plurality of passage openings in the perforated passage area, which is measured in a cross-sectional plane running at least substantially perpendicular to the passage direction, is at least 1 mm ² , preferably at least 2 mm ² , for example at least 5 mm ² in size. In particular, a total cross-sectional area uncovered by the plurality of passage openings in the perforated passage region, which is measured in a cross-sectional plane running at least substantially perpendicularly to the passage direction, is at most 100 mm ² , in particular at most 50 mm ² , for example at most 30 mm ² . In some embodiments, this cross-sectional area is at most 20 mm ² , in particular at most 10 mm ² .

With regard to the further configuration of the flat component, no further details have so far been given.

In particular, the flat component has an areal extent in two directions of surface extent that are at least substantially perpendicular to one another, and a height measured in a direction of vertical extent that runs at least approximately perpendicular to the two directions of surface extent is significantly smaller, in particular at least ten times smaller, for example at least 100 times smaller , as an extension of the flat member in the surface extension directions.

In particular, the two flat sides of the flat product are spaced apart from one another by a distance that corresponds to the thickness of the flat product.

For example, the flat product extends in two directions of extension that are at least substantially perpendicular to one another, and the thickness of the flat product is measured in a direction that is at least substantially perpendicular to the two directions of extension, the thickness of the flat product being considerably smaller, in particular at least 100 times smaller, is, for example, at least 1,000 times smaller than an extension of the flat product in the directions of extension. In particular, the flat product has at least essentially a thickness of at least 30 μm, for example at least 50 μm.

In favorable embodiments, the flat product has a thickness of at most 250 μm, in particular a thickness of at most 150 μm.

In particular, in some embodiments, the flat component is a sheet metal component and the flat product is a sheet metal.

In some advantageous embodiments, the flat product, for example the sheet metal, is coated.

In preferred embodiments it is provided that the flat component, in particular at least one flat product, has at least one embossed section, that is to say has exactly one embossed section or a plurality of embossed sections.

In some advantageous embodiments, the at least one passage area is arranged in an embossed section.

In some advantageous embodiments, at least one flat product of the flat component extends at least for the most part only in the directions of surface extension of the flat component.

In advantageous embodiments, it is provided that at least one flat product of the flat component extends in at least one section, which is in particular an embossed section, obliquely to a surface extent of the flat component, the surface extent of the flat component being defined in particular by the alignment of the two surface expansion directions . The at least one flat product thus advantageously has a more complex structure than just an extension essentially in the plane spanned by the two surface extension directions.

In particular, however, extensions of the flat product obliquely to the surface expansion directions are small in relation to the expansion of the flat component in these two surface expansion directions, so that the height of the flat component is considerably smaller than its expansion in the surface expansion directions.

In some preferred embodiments, it is provided that at least one passage area is arranged in a section of a flat product that extends obliquely to the areal extent of the flat component.

For example, in these preferred embodiments, a section of a further flat product that extends essentially parallel to the areal extent of the flat component is arranged adjacent to the obliquely extending section of the flat product with the at least one passage area.

In some advantageous embodiments, it is provided that at least one passage area is arranged in a section of a flat product that extends at least essentially parallel to the areal extension of the flat component.

In these advantageous embodiments, it is provided in particular that an area with at least one section of a further flat product extending obliquely to the planar extent of the flat component is arranged adjacent to the passage area of the one flat product. In particularly advantageous embodiments, it is provided that the flat component comprises a fluid-guiding section or a plurality of fluid-guiding sections.

Provision is preferably made for the one fluid routing section or the multiple fluid routing sections to be at least partially part of a line device of the fuel cell device for a fluid mixture, in particular comprising a fuel medium and/or oxidation medium, and/or at least partially part of a line device for a temperature control medium.

In particular, the line device for the temperature control medium is part of a temperature control device in order to keep the at least one fuel cell unit in a temperature range that is permissible for proper operation, preferably in a temperature range that is desired for efficient operation.

At least one fluid guiding section is preferably formed at least partially in at least one flat product.

In particular, an embossed section of the flat product at least partially forms the at least one fluid guiding section.

It is particularly advantageous if at least one fluid guiding section is formed at least partially by a channel structure that is formed, for example embossed, in the flat product.

In particularly advantageous embodiments, it is provided that the at least one passage area is connected to at least one fluid-guiding section. It is therefore preferably provided that during operation of the fuel cell device a fluid mixture, in particular a gas mixture, flows through the one passage opening or the plurality of passage openings, with this fluid mixture being guided either from the fluid-guiding section to the passage area for flow through or after flowing through the passage area continues to flow in the fluid guide section.

In particular, the passage area of the one passage opening or the plurality of passage openings forms a so-called gas port for the flat component.

In particularly favorable embodiments, the flat component has a plurality of passage areas, in particular at least one passage area as an inlet and another passage area as an outlet for a respective fluid.

For example, the flat component has at least four passage areas, in particular an inlet and an outlet for at least two types of fluid mixtures, which are formed by corresponding passage areas.

In particular, one flat product of the flat component has the passage areas forming the inlet and outlet for one type of fluid mixture and another flat product has the passage areas forming the inlet and outlet for another type of fluid mixture.

In some advantageous embodiments, at least one passage opening is provided in at least one passage area for fastening, with a fastening element reaching through the at least one passage opening. For example, another part is fastened to the flat component with the fastening element.

For example, the flat component and another component, for example the membrane component, are fastened to one another with the fastening element.

In particular, the advantages here are that the precise formation of the through-opening results in stable and precisely fitting attachment and/or the risk of damage to the attached parts is at least reduced by the at least substantially burr-free edge.

Provision can also be made, for example, for a fluid to flow past these through-openings provided for attachment and, in particular, for the burr-free edge to at least reduce the risk of contamination of the fluid.

In principle, the flat component can fulfill a wide variety of functions in the fuel cell device, in particular in a cell unit of the same, and/or another device and can be designed for this purpose.

In particularly favorable embodiments, the flat component is designed as a bipolar plate for the fuel cell device, in particular for at least one cell unit.

In particular, it is provided that two flat components designed in particular as bipolar plates, preferably together with a membrane component arranged between the two flat components, form a cell unit of the at least one fuel cell unit. In particular, one of the two flat components has at least one fluid guide section for guiding a fluid mixture comprising a fuel medium and the other of the two flat components has at least one fluid guide section for guiding a mixture comprising an oxidation medium, with these fluid mixtures being guided through the respective fluid guide section to a reaction chamber of the cell unit , in which the media can chemically react with each other.

A membrane of the membrane component is preferably arranged in the reaction chamber, via which the fluid mixtures, in particular the fuel medium and the oxidizing medium, can interact.

In particular, the at least one fuel cell unit comprises at least one stack, which is formed from at least a large number of flat components and, for example, membrane components, with a flat component and a membrane component in particular being arranged alternately in a stacking direction.

A flat component is preferably assigned to a respective cell unit of the fuel cell unit on each side.

In particular, each flat product of the flat component forms an electrode of the respective assigned cell unit and/or forms at least partially fluid conducting sections, in particular as channel sections, for conducting a fluid mixture, in particular a fuel medium or an oxidation medium, for supply to the assigned cell unit. In particular, it is provided that the flat component and the fuel cell device are manufactured according to a method with at least one of the features explained below and thus advantageously have a corresponding design, with such methods for example a burr-free edge on the through-opening and/or small precise through-openings and/or a perforated passage area, can be produced and can be produced quickly and efficiently in particularly advantageous embodiments.

In particular, it is provided that the flat component and the fuel cell device comprising this flat component are produced with a system that has at least one of the features explained below, with such a system being used to produce advantageous embodiments, for example through-openings with a burr-free edge and/or precisely formed, small Passage openings and/or a perforated passage area can be formed, as explained above, and can be formed quickly and precisely in advantageous embodiments of the system.

Alternatively or additionally, the object on which the invention is based is also achieved by a method for producing a flat component, in particular a metallic one, and/or a fuel cell device comprising at least one fuel cell unit, the at least one fuel cell unit having at least one flat component, in particular a metallic one, the method comprising at least the step comprises providing at least one flat component, in particular at least one flat product of the flat component, with at least one through-opening in a passage area, in particular with at least one through-opening having an at least substantially burr-free edge. The advantages mentioned above in connection with the burr-free edge and preferred configurations of the burr-free edge are transferred and also apply correspondingly to the method.

Alternatively or additionally, the object on which the invention is based is also achieved by a method for producing an in particular metallic flat component and a fuel cell device comprising at least one fuel cell unit, the at least one fuel cell unit having at least one in particular metallic flat component, the method comprising at least the step to provide the at least one flat component, in particular at least one flat product of the flat component, with at least one through opening by the action of a laser radiation field in at least one passage region of the flat component.

Advantageously, a through opening with an at least substantially burr-free edge is formed by the action of the laser radiation field.

It is particularly advantageous if the step of providing a through-opening through the action of the laser radiation field includes the laser radiation field acting at a point in the passage area to be provided with the through-opening in such a way that the particularly metallic material of the flat component, in particular the material of the flat product, evaporated at this point by the action of the laser radiation field, preferably that the metallic material in particular sublimates at this point by the action of the laser radiation field. In particular, such a through-opening can be formed precisely and advantageously provided with an at least substantially burr-free edge.

In particular, because the material is vaporized, in particular sublimated, at the point to be provided with the through-opening, unwanted material is at least reduced, preferably at least essentially completely prevented, so that the through-opening and the edge are formed precisely, in particular without bulges can be.

Advantageously, the vaporization of the material, in particular the sublimation of the same, at the point to be provided with the passage opening facilitates transport of the then gaseous material.

In particular, the laser radiation field has an energy density that is correspondingly high enough to vaporize, preferably sublimate, the metal material of the flat component, in particular.

In particular, the energy introduced by the laser radiation field per unit area at the point to be processed is sufficiently large as the energy density.

Advantageously, the laser radiation field has a correspondingly high power as the energy density. For example, the power of the laser radiation field is at least 1 MW, in particular at least 5 MW, preferably at least 70 MW.

For example, a power of the laser radiation field is at most

6,500 MW in size, in particular at most 2,000 MW in size, in particular at most 650 MW in size. In some favorable embodiments it is provided that the laser radiation field is a continuous laser radiation field, in particular a laser radiation field that is continuous over time.

In this case, the laser radiation field is in particular the laser radiation field of a continuous wave laser.

In particularly preferred embodiments it is provided that the laser radiation field is a pulsed laser radiation field.

In particular, a high energy density can be achieved with the pulsed laser radiation field.

In particular, it is provided that radiation pulses of the pulsed laser radiation field are ultra-short pulses, which are in particular sufficient for the formation of a through-opening in the flat product, which for example has a thickness as explained above.

In particular, the ultra-short pulses are favorable for evaporation cutting.

In particular, radiation pulses of the pulsed laser radiation field have a pulse duration of at most 10 ps, preferably at most 1 ps.

For example, radiation pulses of the pulsed laser radiation field have a pulse duration of at least 300 fs, in particular at least 800 fs. A pulse frequency of the pulsed laser radiation field is dependent, for example, on the thickness of the flat product and/or a feed rate of the flat component to be processed during the manufacturing process. In particular, the pulse frequency is selected as a function of a relative speed between the flat component to be processed and a system of optical elements for manipulating the laser radiation field, in particular for steering and/or focusing the same.

For example, the pulse frequency is at least 50 kHz. In particular, the pulse frequency is at most 1 MHz, for example at most 250 kHz.

In particular, a pulse energy in the pulsed laser radiation field is at least 50 pJ, in particular at least 70 pJ.

For example, a pulse energy in the pulsed laser radiation field is at most 2,000 pJ, preferably at most 1,000 pJ, in particular at most 500 pJ.

In particular, optics, particularly as part of the system of optical elements, for focusing the laser radiation field have a focal length of, for example, at least 50 mm, preferably at least 70 mm and/or at most 400 mm, preferably at most 150 mm.

In favorable embodiments it is provided that the laser radiation field is widened before focusing.

It is particularly advantageous if the laser radiation field has a focal diameter of at least 5 μm, in particular at least 25 μm and/or a focal diameter of at most 75 μm, in particular at most 50 μm, when it strikes the point to be processed. It is particularly favorable if the laser radiation field is circularly polarized.

In particular, consistently good cutting results can be achieved in this way, regardless of the direction.

In particularly advantageous embodiments, it is provided that a system of optical elements is used to guide the laser radiation field. In particular, the laser radiation field is guided to the various points to be processed, which are provided with a through opening, by means of the system of optical elements.

For example, the system of optical elements includes one or more mirrors for directing the laser radiation field and/or one or more light guides, for example one or more round fibers, for guiding the laser radiation field and/or one or more lenses for guiding and/or focusing the laser radiation field.

It is particularly advantageous if the system of optical elements comprises a scanner optics, by means of which the laser radiation field or at least parts thereof can be scanned over a large area to be processed on the flat component, which in particular comprises at least the passage area to be processed. ie in particular the laser radiation field can be guided in a grid-like manner over the area to be processed.

This advantageously enables rapid and precise processing, since the optical system enables the laser radiation field to be guided quickly and flexibly. In particular, it is provided that the laser radiation field is divided into several partial radiation fields, for example by means of a beam splitter, and several points to be processed on the flat component, in particular in the passage area, are processed simultaneously by the multiple partial radiation fields, in particular are simultaneously provided with a respective passage opening.

It is advantageously provided that a respective scanner optics is provided for at least some, in particular for all, of the partial radiation fields in order to be able to direct the partial radiation fields separately from one another to a respective point to be processed.

In particular, it is favorable if expulsion of material from a point to be processed is at least supported at least by a vapor pressure of the vaporized material.

In particularly advantageous embodiments, it is provided that a gas flow is used in order to at least facilitate removal of material, in particular removal of the vaporized, for example sublimated, material from the at least one point to be processed, which is provided with the at least one through-opening support.

The gas flow preferably at least supports the removal of material from a plurality of locations, in particular those that are processed simultaneously.

The vaporized material is preferably transported away by means of the gas flow. In some advantageous embodiments it is provided that the material is blown away from the point to be processed by means of at least part of the gas flow.

In some advantageous embodiments it is provided that the material is sucked off from the point to be processed by means of at least part of the gas flow.

In particular, at least part of the gas flow is used to prevent the vaporized material from the point to be processed from reaching the optical elements for guiding the laser radiation field and thus advantageously preventing contamination of the same.

Removal of the material is advantageously facilitated by the fact that the material has evaporated and is therefore present in gaseous form, so that the material can be removed more easily by the gas flow and the gas flow can be directed more flexibly onto the point or points to be processed.

In particular, some embodiments provide for the gas flow to run obliquely to the surface of the flat side at the point to be processed.

It is particularly advantageous if an area of the flat component is covered by the gas flow, with this covered area comprising a number of points to be processed and with different partial radiation fields of the laser radiation field acting on different points in the covered area. In particular, the gas flow flows against the detected area and/or the gas flow flows away from this detected area. In particular, such a large-area detection of an area by the gas flow is made possible since the material to be removed is vaporized and thus a gas flow acting over a large area is sufficient to remove this material.

Advantageously, the large-area covering of an area by the gas flow supports the simultaneous processing of a number of points, so that the passage area can be provided with a number of passage openings more quickly.

In particular, it is provided that the laser radiation field and, for example, its partial radiation fields are guided, preferably by the optical elements of the system, independently of a guidance and/or orientation of the gas flow.

Some advantageous embodiments provide that at least part of the gas flow, in particular at least a large part of the gas flow, runs obliquely to a propagation direction of the laser radiation field and in particular obliquely to the propagation directions of the partial radiation fields.

In particular, the method also includes at least the step of embossing at least one flat product, preferably roll embossing of the flat product.

At least one embossed section, advantageously a channel structure, as explained above, is preferably embossed into the flat product. In particular, at least one of the embossed sections is provided with at least one passage opening in at least one passage area, advantageously as explained above.

In some favorable embodiments, at least one section that is at least essentially not processed by the embossing is provided with at least one through opening in at least one through area, advantageously as explained above.

In favorable embodiments, it is provided in particular that the method also includes at least one joining of at least one flat product of the flat component with at least one other component.

The joining of the at least one flat product to at least one further component preferably includes welding, in particular by means of laser welding, of the at least one flat product to the at least one further component.

In particular, the at least one further component with which the at least one flat product is joined, in particular welded, is a further flat product.

In some advantageous embodiments, the flat component is connected to at least one other component in a further step, for example these components are fastened to one another. For example, the further component, in particular in the case of a flat component designed as a bipolar plate, is a membrane component, in particular as explained above. In particular, the at least one flat component is connected to the at least one other component at least in sections in a fluid-tight manner, with a seal in particular being injection-molded on and/or comprising a sealing cord and/or being applied at least partially by screen printing.

In advantageous embodiments, the method comprises at least one step for providing the fuel cell device and/or the flat component with one or more features that were explained above in connection with the fuel cell device and/or the flat component.

Alternatively or additionally, the object on which the invention is based is also achieved by a system for producing a flat component, in particular a metal one, and/or a fuel cell device comprising at least one fuel cell unit, the at least one fuel cell unit having at least one flat component, in particular a metal one, the system being at least one laser radiation device for providing the flat component with at least one through-opening.

In particular, the system can be used to provide the flat component with at least one through-opening using a laser radiation field provided by the laser radiation device, and in particular the advantages explained above with regard to providing at least one through-opening through a laser radiation field are also transferred accordingly to the system.

In particular, a machine station of the system includes the laser radiation device. The system is advantageously designed in such a way that it can be used to produce a flat component and a fuel cell device with one or more features as explained above, and the system includes the necessary devices for this.

It is particularly advantageous if the system is designed to be able to produce a flat component and a fuel cell device using a method with one or more of the features explained above in connection with the method, and the system includes the necessary devices for this.

In particular, the advantages explained in connection with the flat component and the fuel cell device and/or with the method are also correspondingly transferred to the system.

In particular, the laser radiation device comprises at least one radiation field source for providing a laser radiation field.

The laser radiation device advantageously comprises a system of optical elements for guiding a laser radiation field provided in particular by the radiation field source.

Advantageously, the system of optical elements of the laser radiation device comprises at least one adjustable optical element, ie for example exactly one adjustable optical element or advantageously several adjustable optical elements, for guiding the laser radiation field.

For example, an adjustable optical element or several adjustable optical elements are each a mirror whose position and/or orientation can be adjusted. Provision is preferably made for the laser device to have at least one beam splitter for dividing the laser radiation field into a plurality of partial radiation fields.

It is particularly favorable if the system of optical elements is designed in such a way that the several partial radiation fields can be guided separately from one another and, in particular, directed to different locations to be processed.

It is particularly favorable if at least some of the in particular adjustable optical elements of the system form scanner optics for the laser radiation field and/or for one or more partial radiation fields of the laser radiation field.

For example, the system of optical elements comprises a plurality of scanner optics for the plurality of partial radiation fields, in particular a respective scanner optic for each partial radiation field.

The laser radiation device is advantageously designed in such a way that a laser radiation field provided by it is configured in such a way, in particular that partial radiation fields of the laser radiation field are configured in such a way that when the radiation field acts on a point on the flat component to be processed, the material at this point vaporizes, in particular sublimates.

With regard to advantageous features of the laser radiation field provided and/or the partial radiation fields, reference is made to the full content of the above explanations in connection with the method in order to avoid repetition. In advantageous embodiments, it is provided that the system includes a gas flow device, in particular the machine station with the laser radiation device including the gas flow device, with the gas flow device providing a gas flow which acts on the point to be machined on the flat component.

Provision is advantageously made for the gas flow device to have at least one gas nozzle for providing a gas flow which flows against at least one point to be processed on the flat component.

It is particularly advantageous if the gas flow provided by the gas nozzle covers an area on the flat component which includes a number of points to be processed.

In particular, material can be removed from the at least one point to be processed with the gas flow from the gas nozzle, for example blown away.

In preferred embodiments it is provided that the gas flow device comprises at least one suction device for sucking off a gas flow from at least one point to be processed on the flat component. It is particularly advantageous if the gas flow sucked off by the suction device acts on an area on the flat component which comprises a plurality of points to be machined.

Thus, material can be removed from the at least one point to be processed, in particular sucked off, in particular by means of the suction device and the suction gas flow. With regard to advantageous embodiments of the gas flow and advantages thereof, reference is made in full to the above statements in connection with the flat component and the fuel cell device and/or the method in order to avoid repetition and advantageously the gas flow device, in particular the at least one gas nozzle and/or the at least one suction device, designed to provide a gas flow in one or more of the advantageous features explained above.

For example, it is provided that the gas flow provided by the gas flow device acts on the flat side at an angle to a surface of the flat side at the location to be processed.

It is particularly advantageous if the laser radiation device and the gas flow device are designed in such a way that the laser radiation field and in particular its partial radiation fields can be guided independently of the gas flow and in particular directed to the at least one point to be processed.

In particular, a propagation of the laser radiation field and/or the partial flow fields can be set independently of the gas flow and in particular the orientation and/or the course of the gas flow.

For example, it is provided that the gas flow provided by the gas flow device flows obliquely to a propagation direction of the laser radiation field provided by the laser radiation device and in particular of its partial radiation fields. It is particularly advantageous if the system comprises an embossing device for embossing the flat component, at least one flat product of the flat component being embossed in particular with the embossing device.

In particular, the flat component, in particular at least one flat product, can be embossed by means of the system, preferably with one or more of the advantageous features explained above in connection with embossing.

In some particularly advantageous embodiments, it is provided that the machine station with the laser radiation device also includes the embossing device.

The embossing and the provision of the passage area with at least one passage opening are thus advantageously carried out at the same machine station.

In particular, the advantageous design of the laser radiation device, for example guiding the laser radiation field by means of the system of optical elements and/or vaporization cutting by means of the laser radiation field, makes it possible to carry out the production steps of embossing and providing at least one through opening at the same machine station using the corresponding devices essentially without delay.

In particularly preferred embodiments, it is provided that the system comprises at least one additional laser system, i.e. in particular the laser radiation device and also the at least one additional laser system, with the additional laser system being designed for welding components, in particular for welding at least one flat product to at least one other Component, preferably with at least one other flat product is formed. In some particularly preferred embodiments, it is provided that the machine station with the laser radiation device also includes the at least one additional laser system.

Thus, advantageously at the same machine station with the laser radiation device, at least one passage opening is provided in at least one passage area of the flat component and components, in particular flat products, of the flat component are welded by means of the additional laser system

In particular, the advantageous design of the laser radiation device, in particular the guidance of the laser radiation field and, for example, its partial radiation fields by means of the system of optical elements and/or by evaporation cutting, makes it possible for the manufacturing steps of providing exactly one through opening or preferably with a plurality of passage openings by means of the laser radiation device and the welding of the components can take place at least essentially without a time delay.

In particular, the system includes several machine stations.

In particular, at least one feed device is provided, by means of which at least one machine station is/are fed a workpiece to be machined or a plurality of workpieces to be machined.

In particular, the machine station with the laser device comprises a feeding device, in particular for feeding at least the flat product from a machine station arranged upstream or from a storage facility for the material of the at least one flat product. In particular, at least one transfer device is provided, by means of which the workpiece to be machined, in particular the flat component or components thereof, is conveyed from one machine station to another machine station.

In particular, the machine station with the laser device also includes a transfer device.

Above and below, features that are described as particularly and/or favorably and/or advantageously and/or for example and/or as preferred and/or the like are optional features that particularly represent inventive developments of the basic idea of the invention, but for the fundamental success of the invention are not essential.

Above and below, the wording at least essentially in connection with an indication is to be understood in particular as meaning that technically irrelevant and/or technically caused deviations from the at least essentially stated indication are also included.

Above and below, the wording at least approximately in connection with a feature is to be understood in particular as meaning that this feature is at least essentially specified and/or that deviations, for example from the specified value and/or a specified direction, of up to ± 20% , preferably of up to ± 10%, in particular of up to ± 5%, are also included in the at least approximately specified information.

Deviations of up to 10°, in particular of up to 5°, for example of up to 1°, from an at least approximately and/or essentially indicated direction are preferably included. The above description of solutions according to the invention thus includes in particular the various feature combinations defined by the following numbered embodiments:

1. Fuel cell device (100) comprising at least one fuel cell unit (110) having at least one metallic flat component (142), wherein the flat component (142) has at least one through-opening (214), i.e. exactly one through-opening (214) or more, in a passage region (212). Has through-openings (214), and an edge (224) of at least one through-opening (214) is at least essentially free of burrs.

2. Fuel cell device (100) according to embodiment 1, wherein in the case of a through-opening (214) with an at least substantially burr-free edge (224), an edge surface (234) delimiting a through-hole free space (222) has a roughness, in particular an average peak-to-valley height (Rz), of at most

20 |jm, in particular at most 10 |jm.

3. Fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein in the case of a through-opening (214) with an at least essentially burr-free edge (224), the through-opening (214) is essentially free of material residues protruding into its free passage space (222).

4. The fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein an at least substantially burr-free passage opening (214) has at least substantially no bulges (246') protruding at least approximately in the direction of a normal to its edge surface (234) into its passage free space (222). , wherein the bulges extend in particular at least approximately perpendicularly to a direction of extent of the edge surface (234) and a through-direction (218) of the through-opening (214). 5. Fuel cell device (100), in particular according to one of the preceding embodiments, comprising at least one fuel cell unit (110) having at least one metallic flat component (142), wherein the flat component (142) has at least one through-opening (214) in a passage area (212) and in the case of at least one through-opening (214), an edge surface (234) delimiting a through-opening space (222) of this through-opening (214) in the direction of a through-through direction (218) of this through-opening (214) with a deviation of at most 10°, in particular at most 5°, from this passage direction (218).

6. The fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein at least one through-opening (214) in the through-section (212) has at least one of its expansion dimensions measured transversely to the through-flow direction (218), in particular a smaller expansion dimension of two transverse to the through-flow direction (218 ) measured expansion dimensions, is less than 200 square meters, in particular is less than 100 square meters, in particular is less than 50 square meters, in particular is less than 30 square meters.

7. The fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein at least one through-opening (214) in the through-section (212) is designed as a slot or as a round hole and/or at least one through-opening (214) has an at least essentially rectangular cross-sectional shape.

8. Fuel cell device (100), in particular according to one of the preceding embodiments, comprising at least one fuel cell unit (110) having a metallic flat component (142), wherein the flat component (142) has at least one passage region (212) which is perforated, wherein in particular the the through openings (214) forming the perforation in the through area (212) have one or more features of the preceding embodiments. 9. The fuel cell device (100) according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the at least one perforated passage area (212) has a large number of passage openings (214) with a maximum size of 50 μm, in particular with a maximum size of 30 μm.

10. The fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the flat component (142) is formed at least essentially from precisely one flat product (162), in particular metal, or from a plurality of flat products (162), in particular metal, with one flat product (162) in particular being Flat component (142) at least essentially has a thickness of at least 30 μm, in particular at least 50 μm, and/or at most 250 μm, in particular at most 150 μm.

11. Fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the flat component (142) is a sheet metal component and in particular the flat product is a sheet metal.

12. The fuel cell device (100) according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the flat component (142) has at least one embossed section, and the at least one passage area (212) is arranged in the at least one embossed section.

13. The fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein at least one flat product (162) of the flat component (142) extends in at least one section, in particular an embossed section, locally obliquely to a surface extension of the flat component (142).

14. The fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein at least one passage area (212) is arranged in a section that locally extends obliquely to a surface-related extent of the flat component (142). 15. The fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein at least one passage region (212) is arranged in a section that locally extends at least substantially parallel to a surface extension of the flat component (142).

16. The fuel cell device (100) according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the flat component (142) comprises a fluid conducting section or a plurality of fluid conducting sections.

17. The fuel cell device (100) according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein at least one fluid guiding section is formed at least partially in at least one flat product (162).

18. Fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least one passage area (212) adjoins at least one fluid conducting section.

19. Fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the flat component (142) is a bipolar plate.

20. Fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein two flat components (142), in particular designed as a bipolar plate, form a cell unit (124) of the fuel cell unit (110), in particular together with a membrane component (144) arranged between the two flat components (142), wherein in particular the fuel cell unit (110) comprises at least one stack (122) of a multiplicity of such flat components (142) and in particular membrane components (144). 21. Fuel cell device (100), in particular according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein this is produced by means of a method according to one of the following embodiments directed to a method and/or is produced by means of a system (360) according to one of the following embodiments directed to a system .

22. A method for producing a fuel cell device (100) comprising at least one fuel cell unit (110), the at least one fuel cell unit (110) having at least one metallic flat component (142), the method comprising at least the step of forming the at least one flat component (142) to be provided in a passage area (212) with at least one passage opening (214) having an at least substantially burr-free edge (224).

23. Method, in particular according to the above embodiment, for producing a fuel cell device (100) comprising at least one fuel cell unit (110), wherein the at least one fuel cell unit (110) has at least one metallic flat component (142), the method comprising at least the step providing the at least one flat component (142) with at least one through opening (214) in at least one through area (212) by the action of a laser radiation field (310).

24. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments directed to a method, wherein the step of providing a through opening (214) by exposure to the laser radiation field (310) which is to be provided with the through opening (214) at a location (322) in the Passage region (212) the laser radiation field (310) acts in such a way that the metallic material of the flat component (142) evaporates at this point through the action of the laser radiation field (310), in particular sublimates. 25. Method according to one of the preceding embodiments directed to a method, wherein the laser radiation field (310) is a pulsed laser radiation field.

26. The method according to one of the above embodiments directed to a method, wherein radiation pulses of the pulsed laser radiation field (310) have a pulse duration of at most 10 ps, in particular of at most 1 ps, and/or a pulse duration of at least 300 fs, in particular of at least 800 fs, exhibit.

27. The method according to one of the above embodiments directed to a method, wherein a pulse energy in the pulsed laser radiation field (310) is at least 50 pJ, in particular at least 70 pJ, and/or at most 2,000 pJ, in particular at most 500 pJ.

28. Method according to one of the preceding embodiments directed to a method, wherein the laser radiation field (310) is circularly polarized.

29. Method according to one of the above embodiments directed to a method, wherein a system (314) of optical elements is used to guide the laser radiation field (310), in particular to different locations (322) to be processed.

30. Method according to one of the above embodiments directed to a method, wherein the laser radiation field (310) is divided into a plurality of partial radiation fields (328) and a plurality of partial radiation fields (328) are used to process a plurality of locations (322) on the flat component (142) at the same time. 31. Method according to one of the preceding embodiments directed to a method, wherein a gas flow (344) is used to remove a material, in particular a removal of the vaporized material, from the at least one point to be processed, which is provided with a through-opening (214). will, at least support.

32. Method according to the above embodiment directed to a method, wherein the material is blown away from the point to be processed by means of at least part of the gas flow (344).

33. Method according to one of the two preceding embodiments directed to a method, wherein the material is sucked off from the point to be processed by means of at least part of the gas flow (344).

34. Method according to one of the above embodiments directed to a method, wherein a region of the flat component (142) is covered by the gas flow (344), in particular the gas flow (344) flows against it and/or the gas flow (344) from this region flows away, this detected area comprising a plurality of points to be processed, in particular different partial radiation fields (328) of the laser radiation field (310) act on different points in the detected area.

35. Method according to one of the above embodiments directed to a method, wherein the laser radiation field (310) and in particular its partial radiation fields (328) are guided independently of a guidance and/or an orientation of the gas flow (344).

36. The method according to one of the above embodiments directed to a method, wherein at least part of the gas flow (344), in particular at least a large part of the gas flow (344), runs obliquely to a propagation direction of the laser radiation field (310). 37. Method according to one of the above embodiments directed to a method, wherein the method further comprises at least the step of embossing at least one flat product.

38. Method according to one of the above embodiments directed to a method, wherein the method further comprises at least joining at least one flat product (162) of the flat component (142) with at least one further component, in particular with at least one further flat product (162), in particular a welding, in particular by means of laser welding, of the at least one flat product (162) with at least one further component.

39. Method according to one of the above embodiments directed to a method, wherein the method comprises at least one step for providing the fuel cell device (100), in particular the flat component (142), with one or more features of the above embodiments directed to a fuel cell device (100). .

40. Plant (360) for producing a fuel cell device (100) comprising at least one fuel cell unit (110), wherein the at least one fuel cell unit (110) has at least one metallic flat component (142), the plant (360), in particular a machine station (362 ) of the system (360), at least one laser radiation device (316) for providing the flat component (142) with at least one through-opening (214).

41. System (360) according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the laser radiation device (316) comprises at least one radiation field source (312) and a system (314) of optical elements for guiding a laser radiation field (310) provided by the radiation field source (312). 42. System (360) according to one of the above embodiments directed towards a system (360), wherein the system (314) of optical elements comprises at least one adjustable optical element, for example a mirror whose position and/or orientation can be adjusted, for guiding the laser radiation field (310).

43. System (360) according to one of the above embodiments aimed at a system (360), wherein the laser radiation device (316) has at least one beam splitter (326) for dividing a laser radiation field (310) into a plurality of partial radiation fields (328).

44. System (360) according to one of the above embodiments directed towards a system (360), wherein the system (360), in particular the machine station (362) with the laser radiation device (316), comprises a gas flow device (342), by means of which a gas flow (344) is provided, which acts on the point to be processed on the flat component (142).

45. System (360) according to the above embodiment directed towards a system, wherein the gas flow device (342) has at least one gas nozzle (348) for providing a gas flow (344) flowing onto at least one point to be processed on the flat component (142) and/or that the gas flow device (342) comprises at least one suction device (346) for sucking off a gas flow (344) from at least one point to be processed on the flat component (142).

46. System (360) according to one of the above embodiments directed towards a system, wherein the laser radiation device (316) and the gas flow device (342) are designed in such a way that the laser radiation field (310), in particular its partial radiation fields (328), independently of the gas flow (344) can be performed. 47. System (360) according to one of the above embodiments directed towards a system, wherein the system (360), in particular the machine station (362) with the laser radiation device (316) has an embossing device (372) for embossing at least one flat product (162) of the flat component (142).

48. System (360) according to one of the above embodiments aimed at a system (360), wherein the system (360), in particular the machine station (362) with the laser radiation device (310) comprises an additional laser system (342) for welding components, in particular for welding at least one flat product (162) to at least one other component, in particular to at least one other flat product (162).

Preferred developments and in particular advantages of the invention are the subject of the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment and the graphic representation of the same.

Show in the drawing:

1 shows a schematic illustration of a fuel cell device comprising at least one fuel cell unit;

2 shows two flat components designed as bipolar plates with a membrane component arranged between them, which form a cell unit;

3 shows an enlarged representation of a detail of a flat component in the area of a passage area and a channel structure;

4 shows a perspective sectional view of a through-opening; 5 shows a schematic representation of a passage area with passage openings designed as round holes;

FIG. 6 shows a representation similar to that in FIG. 4 of a through-opening, but a through-opening according to the prior art with bulges protruding into a free passage space;

Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a perforated passage area;

8 shows a schematic representation of a laser radiation device and a gas flow device for providing the flat component with at least one through opening;

9 shows a representation of a machine station comprising an embossing device and a laser radiation device; and

10 shows a representation of a machine station comprising a laser radiation device for providing at least one through opening and a laser system for welding.

An exemplary embodiment of a fuel cell device denoted as a whole by 100 comprises at least one fuel cell unit 110 and a line system, denoted as a whole by 112, having at least one line device 114 for a fuel medium and a line device 116 for an oxidizing medium, with the line devices 114, 116 being connected to the at least one fuel cell unit 110 are connected, as shown by way of example and diagrammatically in FIG.

The at least one fuel cell unit 110 comprises at least one stack 122 of cell units 124, the fuel medium and the oxidation medium being at least partially chemically converted into a product medium in the cell units and in particular electrical energy being provided in the process. Specifically, the unit cells 124 in the stack 122 are stacked in a stacking direction and connected in series.

Line device 114 for the fuel medium can be used to supply the fuel medium to an anode side of fuel cell unit 110 and the individual cell units 124, in particular as a component of an anode fluid mixture, and a residual anode fluid mixture, which contains fuel medium components that are supplied to the at least one fuel cell unit 110 but have not been chemically converted in it and/or components of the Product medium and / or components of the supplied anode fluid mixture, from the at least one fuel cell unit 110 can be discharged again.

Line device 116 for the oxidizing medium can be used to supply the oxidizing medium to a cathode side of the at least one fuel cell unit 110 and the individual cell units 124, in particular as a component of a cathode fluid mixture, and a residual cathode fluid mixture, which is supplied in particular to the at least one fuel cell unit 110 but is not chemically converted there Oxidizing medium components and/or components of the product medium and/or components of the supplied cathode fluid mixture can be discharged again from the at least one fuel cell unit 110.

For example, a temperature control device 132 is also provided in order to keep the at least one fuel cell unit 110 in a temperature range that is permissible for proper operation of the same.

Temperature control device 132 is preferably configured for cooling and/or heating the at least one fuel cell unit 110 as required, in particular as a function of an operating state of the fuel cell device. In particular, temperature control device 132 comprises, as part of line system 112, a line device 134 for a temperature control medium for supplying a temperature control medium to fuel cell unit 110 and the individual cell units 124 and for removing the temperature control medium from individual cell units 124 or the at least one fuel cell unit 110, the temperature control medium being Supplying and in heat-exchanging contact with the fuel cell unit 110 and the individual cell units 124 before discharging.

Stack 122 includes flat components 142, which are designed in particular as bipolar plates, and in particular membrane components 144, which are arranged between two flat components 1421 and 142II and thus at least form a respective cell unit 124, as shown by way of example in Figure 2.

In particular, adjacent flat components 142 and membrane components 144 are firmly connected to one another, preferably at least partially in a fluid-tight manner.

A seal is advantageously formed at least between adjacent flat components 142 and other components, in particular the membrane component, which is, for example, injection molded and/or has a sealing cord and/or is applied by screen printing.

In particular, two flat components 1421 and 142II form at least one reaction chamber in which a membrane of membrane component 144, which is arranged between the two flat components 1421, 142II, extends, with the oxidizing medium and fuel medium supplied in the reaction chamber reacting chemically and during the chemical reaction electrical energy is provided. In particular, the fuel medium is fed into a part of the reaction chamber delimited by the membrane of the membrane component 144 and by one of the two flat components 1421, 142II, and the oxidizing medium is fed into a part of the reaction chamber delimited by the membrane of the membrane component 144 and the other of the two flat components 1421, 142II fed.

The fuel medium and the oxidizing medium interact across the membrane, specifically, charged particles pass through the membrane from one part of the reaction chamber to the other part of the reaction chamber and oppositely charged particles pass from one part of the reaction chamber to the other part of the reaction chamber via an electrical circuit.

The flat components 142 are thus also designed as an anode or cathode for an individual cell unit 124 and the individual cell units are connected in series.

Insofar as the flat components 142, ie for example the flat components 1421 and 142II of a cell unit 124, are of identical design, they are described together below and reference is made only to “the flat component 142”.

To conduct a fluid or a plurality of fluids, in particular a gas or a plurality of gases, in particular the cathode fluid mixture and/or the anode fluid mixture and/or the temperature control medium, flat component 142 has a system of channel structures 152, parts of which are shown by way of example in Figure 3 , wherein the channel structures 152 are in particular a part of the respective line device 114, 116, 134 for the fuel medium or for the oxidizing medium or for the temperature control medium.

In particular, the flat component 142 extends over a surface area in two surface expansion directions 154 and 156 that run at least substantially perpendicularly to one another and that span a geometric surface expansion plane. An extension of the flat component 142 in a height extension direction 158 running essentially perpendicular to the surface extension directions 154 and 156 is considerably smaller, in particular at least 10 times smaller, for example at least 100 times smaller, than the extension of the flat component 142 in the surface extension directions 154, 156.

In particular, at least one preferably metallic flat product 162 essentially forms the flat component 142 .

Preferably, two flat products 1621 and 162II, in particular metal, essentially form the flat component 142, as shown by way of example in FIG.

In particular, the flat products 162 of the flat component 142 form layers of the same, which are arranged one on top of the other in a direction running essentially perpendicularly to the surface extension plane.

Insofar as the flat products 162 of the flat component 142 are at least essentially the same in terms of their basic function and/or design, they are described together below with reference to “the flat product 162”.

For example, the flat product 162 is a sheet metal.

The flat product 162 has two opposite flat sides 164 and 166 which are spaced apart from one another by a thickness 168 .

In the case of a flat component 142 with only one flat product 162 , the two opposite flat sides 164 and 166 in particular form the surface-related outer sides 165 and 167 of the flat component 142 . In the case of flat components 142 with a plurality of flat products 162, the respective external flat sides 164, 166 of two external flat products 162 form the surface-related outer sides 165, 167 of the flat component 142, and internal flat sides 164, 166 face a flat side 164, 166 of another flat product 162, so that, for example, the external Flat side 1641 of the flat product 1621 forms the outside 165 and the flat side 166II of the flat product 162II forms the outside 167 and the inner flat sides 1661 and 164II of the flat products 1621 and 162II are arranged opposite one another.

In particular, one of the outer sides 165, 167 is assigned to one of two cell units 124 arranged adjacent to one another.

In particular, the respective flat product 162 forming one of the outer sides 165, 167 forms an electrode for the associated cell unit 124.

The channel structures 152 are preferably structures molded into the flat component 142, in particular into at least one flat product 162.

In particular, the flat product 162 has a thickness 168 which is considerably smaller, in particular at least 10 times smaller, for example at least 100 times smaller, than extensions of the flat product 162 in mutually at least substantially perpendicular extension directions 186 and 188, which are at least locally at least substantially perpendicular to the thickness direction in which thickness 168 is measured. Since structures that rise from the plane of the surface, for example the channel structure 152, are preferably formed in the flat product 162, the directions of extent 186 and 188 of the flat product 162 do not necessarily run locally in the plane of the surface, but for example they run over the extent of the flat component 142 in the directions of the surface 154 and 156 mean extension directions 186 and 188 at least approximately in the area extension plane.

An extension of the flat component 142 in the height extension direction 158 is greater than the thickness 168 of the flat product 162 as a result of the structures protruding from the area extension plane, such as the channel structures 152, as shown in FIG. 3 by way of example.

In particular, sections of the channel structures 152 are formed and delimited by two flat products 162 each.

For example, respective sections of the channel structure 152 are formed from a base section 192 of a flat product 1621, which extends at least approximately parallel to the surface extension plane, and wall sections 194 and 196 of this one flat product 1621, which extend away from the base section 192 at an angle to the surface extension directions 154, 156, and are preferably delimited a base section 198 of a further flat product 162II arranged adjacent to this one flat product 1621 the section of the channel structure 152 on a side opposite the other base section 192, so that the sections 192, 194, 196 and preferably 198 surround a line space in which a corresponding fluid , In particular comprising the fuel medium or the oxidizing medium or the temperature control medium can be performed. The flat component 142, in particular at least one flat product 162, has at least one passage region 212 with at least one passage opening 214, in particular in the channel structure 152.

In particular, at least one passage area 212 is arranged in the line device 114 for the fuel medium and/or at least one passage area 212 is arranged in the line device 116 for the oxidizing medium.

For example, the one through-opening 214 or several through-openings 214 in a through-region 212 connects a supply line, through which a fluid is supplied, to one or more distribution channels, through which the fluid is distributed into a respective reaction chamber, and/or one through-opening 214 or more Through openings 214 form a connection from a channel or the feed line into one or more reaction chambers.

For example, a passage opening 214 or several passage openings 214 in a passage area connect one or more reaction chambers or channels leading away from them to a discharge line for discharging a fluid.

For example, a passage opening 214 or several passage openings 214 in a passage area 212 connect a feed line or a discharge line of the line device 134 for the temperature control medium with one or more channels for the temperature control medium.

For example, at least one passage area 212 is formed in a structure formed in a flat product 162, in particular in a section of the flat product 162 that runs obliquely to the surface extension plane, as shown by way of example in the variant in FIG. Alternatively or additionally, at least one passage area 212 is formed in a flat section of a flat product 162 that extends at least substantially parallel to the surface extension plane, wherein preferably a region of a further adjacently arranged flat product 162 in the passage area 212 has a formed structure, in particular for the channel structures 152.

In some favorable variants, a through-opening 214 or a plurality of through-openings 214 are provided in a through-section 212 for fastening the flat component 142 to another component or for fastening a part to the flat component 142, with a fastening element reaching through the through-opening 214.

Insofar as the through-openings 214 are of the same design, they will be described together below and reference is only made to "the through-opening 214".

The passage opening 214 extends in a passage direction 218 continuously through the flat product 162 between the two flat sides 164 and 166, as shown in FIG. 4 by way of example.

A passage space 222, which opens on both opposite sides in passage direction 218, is surrounded transversely to passage direction 218, in particular at least approximately perpendicular to passage direction 218, by an edge 224 formed from flat product 162, with an edge surface that is closed in one direction 234 the passage space 222 limits.

In particular, direction of extent 232 runs at least approximately perpendicularly to direction of passage 218, and its orientation changes along the extent of edge surface 234 in direction of extent 232 in accordance with the geometric shape of through-opening 214. For example, in the case of a through-opening 214 designed as an elongated hole, the direction of extent 232 is oriented in the longitudinal extent of the main section 236 in a longitudinally extending main section 236, and in end sections 238 adjoining the longitudinal extent of the main section 236 on both sides, the orientation of the direction of extent 232 changes, corresponding to a curvature of the edge surface 234. The edge surface 234 in the main section 236 has two opposite sections in a direction which runs at least approximately perpendicular to the direction of extent 232 and the direction of passage 218, between which the passage free space 222 is located and the two opposing sections of the edge surface 234 are connected to one another by curved sections of the edge surface 234 in the end sections 238 of the through opening 214 .

For example, in the case of through-openings 214 designed as round holes, the direction of extent 232 corresponds to a circumferential direction of the circle of the geometric shape of the through-opening 214, as shown by way of example in FIG.

The edge 224 is advantageously free of burrs at the through-openings 214 .

In particular, the edge surface 234 of the burr-free edge 224 has a particularly low level of roughness, for example its average peak-to-valley height Rz is 10 μm or less.

In particular, in the case of the burr-free edge 224, the edge surface 234 extends from one of the two flat sides 164, 166 to the other of the two flat sides of the flat sides 164, 166 in an extension direction 242 which is at most a small angle, for example an angle that is smaller than 5°, to the direction of passage 218. In particular, the direction of extent 232 and the direction of extension 242 of the edge surface 234 are oriented at least essentially perpendicularly to one another. In particular, the edge surface 234 at the burr-free edge 224 is free of bulges 276', as often occur in the case of through-openings 214' in the prior art, as shown by way of example in FIG have the same reference numerals but are prefixed with a prime (').

The bulges 246' extend in particular over a geometric surface spanned by the direction of extent 232' and the direction of extension 242' of the edge surface 234' into the passage free space 222' of a passage opening 214' of the prior art and thus have a considerable extent in the direction of a normal 248', which is perpendicular to the edge surface 234'.

Such bulges 246′ frequently occur in the prior art since, for example, during a melting process for forming the through-opening 214′, residues of the melt remain, in particular in the form of drops, and thus form the bulges 246′.

In particular, it is not possible to produce a burr-free edge 224' using the conventional methods.

In preferred variants of the exemplary embodiment, at least one dimension of the through-opening 214 is smaller than 200 μm, in particular smaller than 100 μm. In particular, the dimension of expansion is measured at least substantially perpendicularly to the passage direction 218 . In preferred variants of the exemplary embodiment, given two different dimensions of the through-opening 214, which are measured in directions that are at least essentially perpendicular to one another and are measured at least essentially perpendicularly to the through-hole direction 218, at least the smaller of the two dimensions is less than 200 μm, in particular less than 100pm.

For example, in the case of a through-opening 214 designed as an elongated hole, the two opposite sections of the edge surface 234 in the main section 236 with the smaller dimension are spaced apart from one another.

For example, in the case of a through-opening 214 designed as a round hole, a diameter of the circle, which at least essentially describes the geometric shape of the round hole, is the expansion dimension of this through-opening 214.

In some favorable variants of the exemplary embodiment, the flat component 142 alternatively or additionally has at least one perforated passage area 212A with a multiplicity of passage openings 214A, as is shown in FIG. 7 by way of example.

In particular, the through-openings 214A in the perforated through-section 212A are very small openings, for example with an extension dimension of 30 μm or smaller. Since the perforated passage portion 212A is provided with a plurality of these small passage holes 214A, there is good permeability of a fluid through the passage portion 212A. In particular, at least 15% of the area of the perforated passage area 212A, preferably at least 30% of the area of the perforated passage area 212A, for example at least 50% of the area of the perforated passage area 212A, is permeable to a fluid through the passage spaces 222 of the passage openings 214A.

In particular, the through-openings 214A are designed with one or more advantageous features as explained above, in particular with a preferably burr-free edge 224 and/or without bulges 246', so that the design of the through-openings 214A in the perforated area 212A corresponds to the above statements is fully referred to.

A method for producing a flat component 142 and a fuel cell device 100 comprises at least the step of providing at least one passage area 212 with at least one passage opening 214, wherein advantageously a configuration of passage area 212 and passage opening 214 as described above is formed.

In the method, a laser radiation field designated as a whole by 310 is used in particular in order to form the one through-opening 214 or the plurality of through-openings 214, as is shown schematically by way of example in FIG.

A laser radiation field device 316 comprising a radiation field source 312 and a system 314 of optical elements is used here, with the laser radiation field 310 being generated and provided by means of the radiation field source 112 and the laser radiation field 310 being manipulated with the system 314 of optical elements, in particular guided and, for example, focused and/or or is shared. The laser radiation field 310 is at least partially directed and preferably focused by means of the system 314 of optical elements onto one or more points 322 to be processed in the passage area 212 to be provided with passage openings 214 .

The system of optical elements 314 for the simultaneous processing of a plurality of locations 322 to be processed preferably comprises a beam splitter 326, which divides the laser radiation field 310 into a plurality of partial radiation fields 328 and the respective partial radiation fields 328 are adjusted by means of optical elements 332, for example in terms of their alignment and/or position adjustable mirrors and/or lenses and/or light guides, in particular independently of one another, are directed to the respective point 222 to be processed in the desired manner.

In this case, a plurality of in particular adjustable optical elements 332 preferably together form a respective scanner optics 334, by means of which a respective partial radiation field 328 can be directed onto different locations 322 to be processed and guided there during operation, in particular independently of the other scanner optics.

In particular, the scanner optics 334 are designed in such a way that at least one radiation field 310, 328 can be directed to each of the points to be processed in the entire passage area 212 to be processed. The radiation field is preferably a pulsed radiation field, with a pulse duration of the pulses being, for example, in the microsecond range or nanosecond range or picosecond range, in particular in the range of at least approximately 1 picosecond or less and/or 800 femtoseconds or more.

In particular, the laser radiation field 310 and in particular its partial radiation fields 328 have a sufficiently high energy density so that at the point 322 to be processed, at which the radiation field impinges, the metal material, in particular, of the flat component 142, in particular the material of the flat product 162, vaporizes, in particular sublimates .

In particular, an energy induced by the radiation field 310, 328 onto a surface and/or the power of the radiation field 310, 328, in particular the power of its radiation field pulses, is sufficiently high that the material evaporates, in particular sublimates.

In particular, the radiation field 310, 328 is directed onto the point 322 to be processed in such a way that the evaporated, in particular sublimated, material is at least partially removed from the point 322 to be processed due to the vapor pressure generated.

It is particularly favorable if a gas flow device 342 is used during processing, which provides a gas flow 344, with the gas flow 344 being used in order to transport away the material that is not required at the point 322 to be processed.

In particular, the gas flow device 342 comprises at least one suction device 346, which at least partially sucks the material away from the points 322 to be processed. It is advantageous if the gas flow device 342 comprises a gas nozzle 348 which provides a gas flow 344 flowing onto the locations 322 to be processed. In this case, the gas nozzle 348 is aligned in such a way that the oncoming gas flow 344 entrains material from the points 322 to be processed and transports it away.

In particular, the gas of the gas flow 344 is an inert gas, which advantageously at least reduces, preferably at least essentially prevents, oxidation of the material at the point 322 to be processed.

Conveniently, a system designated as a whole by 360 for producing a flat component 142 and a fuel cell device 100 comprises at least one machine station 362, which comprises a laser radiation device 316 with a radiation field source 312 and a system 314 of optical elements, in particular as explained above, in order to produce the flat product 162 of the To provide flat component 142 in at least one passage area 212 with at least one passage opening 114, in particular with one or more of the advantageous features explained above.

In particular, the machine station 362 includes a holding device in order to hold the flat product 162 to be processed during processing, for example in order to clamp the flat product 162 .

Machine station 362, in particular the holding device, advantageously has cutouts in the region of point 322 of flat product 162 to be machined, which is to be provided with at least one through-opening 214, so that laser radiation field 110 and in particular its partial radiation fields 328 pass through the cutouts to the area to be machined reach position 322. In favorable variants, machine station 362, which is shown as an example in variants in Figures 9 and 10, includes a feed device for feeding in flat product 162 to be processed, for example comprising at least one conveyor deflection roller and/or at least one conveyor belt, and a transfer device 366, for example comprising at least a deflection conveyor roller and/or at least one conveyor belt, for passing on the processed flat product 162 and/or the processed flat component 142, in particular to a further machine station.

For example, the flat product 162 to be processed is fed to the machine station 362 discussed here by means of the feed device 364 from a supply device which, for example, comprises an endless roll of the material of the flat product 162 as storage, or from another machine station.

In a favorable variant, machine station 362i with laser radiation device 316 for providing through openings 214 also includes an embossing device 372, which in particular includes at least one embossing roller 374 and, for example, alternatively or additionally, includes at least one embossing die, as shown by way of example in Figure 9.

In particular, the embossing device 372 is used to provide at least one flat product 162 with at least one and/or some of the embossed structures explained above.

In some favorable variants, the machine station 362ii with the laser radiation device 316 for providing through openings 214 comprises a further laser system 382 with in particular a radiation source 384 and an optical device 386 with optical elements for steering and aligning the radiation field provided by the radiation source 384, for example with mirrors and /or lenses, as shown by way of example in FIG. In particular, the at least one flat product 162 is welded to further components using the radiation field of the further laser system 382 . The several flat products 162 of the flat component are advantageously welded together with the radiation field of the further laser system 382 .

For example, the machine station 262 is configured with the laser radiation device 316 or another machine station of the system 260 in order to connect the flat component 142 to other components, in particular to at least one membrane component 144. In particular, this machine station is then configured to form a seal between the flat component 142 and the at least one other component, in particular to apply at least one sealing cord and/or to injection-mold a seal and/or to apply a seal using screen printing.

In particular, configurations, modes of operation and advantages of the exemplary embodiments are therefore as follows.

The flat component 142, which is in particular a bipolar plate of a fuel cell unit 110, has in particular in at least one flat product 162 at least one passage region 212 with at least one passage opening 214, with an edge 224 of at least one passage opening 214 preferably being free of burrs.

In particular, the one passage opening 214 or the plurality of passage openings 214 are provided in at least one passage region 212 for the passage of a fluid, in particular a gas, for example a fluid mixture comprising the fuel medium or the oxidation medium and/or the product medium, or a temperature control medium. In variants, alternatively or additionally, the one through-opening 214 or the plurality of through-openings 214 are provided in at least one through-section area 212 for fastening, in particular, the flat component 142 to a further component, for example a membrane component 144, or for fastening a part to the flat component 142.

In particular, the risk of contamination of the fluid flowing in the area of the through-openings 214 is at least reduced by the burr-free edges on the through-openings 214, wherein the fluid is, for example, a gas mixture as explained above and is passed through the through-opening area 212 or is a fluid which is fed to the flows past, for example, passage openings 214 provided for attachment.

In particular, the precision of the through-openings formed is also advantageous, for example, during further processing, in order in particular to achieve better alignment in progressive composite production.

In particular, the burr-free edge 224 is advantageous in that at least essentially no projections of the edge protrude beyond the corresponding flat side 164, 166, which could cause damage to adjacently arranged components.

In advantageous methods for producing a flat component 142 and a fuel cell device 100 comprising the flat component 142 , a laser radiation field 310 is used to provide the passage region 212 .

Advantageously, an energy density of the laser radiation field 310 and/or partial radiation fields 328 of this laser radiation field 310 is so high that the flat product 162 evaporates, in particular sublimates, at least at a point 322 to be processed as a result of the action of the radiation field. In this way, in particular, a precise formation of the through openings 214 is achieved and in particular a burr-free edge 224 is achieved.

In addition, the fact that the material evaporates at least reduces the risk of residues of the material, which, for example, lead to bulges 246′, which remain, for example, due to drops remaining in a melt in previously known methods.

In particular, it is favorable if the laser radiation field 310 used is a pulsed laser radiation field, since a high energy density and rapid processing of the areas to be processed can be achieved in the flat component 142 in this way.

It is particularly advantageous if the laser radiation field 310 is divided into a number of partial radiation fields 328 so that a number of locations 322 to be processed can be processed at the same time and the energy provided in the laser radiation field 310 is efficiently divided over a number of locations 322 to be processed and used there.

In particular, it is provided that the material to be removed to form the through-openings 214 is transported away by a gas flow 344, this removal being advantageously facilitated by the vaporized material, which is therefore present in gaseous form.

In particular, the facilitated evacuation of the gaseous material makes it possible to control the gas flow 344 independently of the guidance of the radiation field 310 and/or its partial radiation fields 328 and thus, for example, to guide the gas flow 344 obliquely to a propagation direction of the radiation field 310, 328 and in particular to steer the radiation field 310, 328 quickly and precisely and independently of the gas flow 344 by means of a scanner optics. In preferred systems 360 for processing and manufacturing a flat component 142 and a fuel cell device 100 and in particular for providing the same with features as explained above, the system 360 has a machine station 362 with a laser radiation device 316 for providing a laser radiation field 310 for providing the passage area 212 with one or more through openings 214 on.

In particular, the laser radiation device 316 comprises at least one scanner optics 334 for the particularly precise steering of the laser radiation field 310 or a corresponding partial radiation field 328 of the same onto the point 322 to be processed, with a beam splitter 326 advantageously being provided, which divides the laser radiation field 310 into a plurality of partial radiation fields 328 and for a respective one A corresponding scanner optics 334 is provided for partial radiation field 328, so that a passage opening 214 can be formed simultaneously at a plurality of locations 322 to be processed by the action of the respective partial radiation field 328.

Machine station 362 advantageously includes a gas flow device 342 assigned to laser radiation device 316, in particular with a suction device 376 and/or a gas nozzle 348, for providing a gas flow 344 for transporting the material away from location 322 to be processed.

Advantageously, the laser radiation field 310 and/or its partial radiation fields 328 can be guided, in particular by a system 314 of optical elements of the laser radiation device 316, for example by respective scanner optics 334, independently of the gas flow 344. In particular, with this method described here, an integration of the step of forming the through-openings 214 in the sequence with further production steps, in particular at the same machine station 362, is made possible.

For example, machine station 362 includes an embossing device 372, so that in the same machine station 362, at least one flat product 162 of flat component 142 is provided with embossed structures by embossing device 372, in particular channel structures 152 for guiding a fluid, and by laser radiation device 316 with more through-openings 214 .

Alternatively or additionally, an advantageous machine station 362 includes, in addition to the laser radiation device 316, which is designed to be provided with through openings 214, a further laser system 382, which is designed for welding components of the flat component 142, preferably for welding a plurality of flat products 162 of the flat component 142 , so that at the same machine station 362 at least one flat product 162 of the flat component 142 is provided with one or more through openings 214 in at least one passage area 212 and is welded to one or more other components, in particular to at least one other flat product 162, by means of the additional laser system 382 becomes.

REFERENCE CHARACTER LIST

fuel cell device

fuel cell unit

performance system

Fuel medium conduit device

Conducting device for oxidizing medium

stack

cell units

temperature control device

Line device of the temperature control device

flat component

membrane component

channel structures

surface extent direction

height extension direction

flat product

flat side

outside

flat side

outside

thickness

direction of extension

bottom section

wall section

passage area

passage openings

passage direction

passage space

edge Direction of course edge surface main section end section extension direction 'protrusions normal

Laser radiation field Radiation field source

System of optical elements Laser radiation device Area to be processed Beam splitter

Partial radiation fields Optical elements Scanner optics Gas flow device Gas flow Suction device Gas nozzle

Attachment

Machine station feeding device transfer device embossing device embossing roller

Laser system radiation source optical device

Claims

- 69 -

PATENT CLAIMS Fuel cell device (100) comprising at least one fuel cell unit (110) having at least one metallic flat component (142), wherein the flat component (142) has at least one through-opening (214), i.e. precisely one through-opening (214) or has a plurality of through-openings (214), and an edge (224) of at least one through-opening (214) is at least essentially free of burrs. Fuel cell device (100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that in the case of a passage opening (214) with an at least substantially burr-free edge (224), an edge surface (234) delimiting a passage free space (222) has a roughness, in particular a mean peak-to-valley height (Rz), of at most 20 μm, in particular at most 10 μm. Fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the case of a through opening (214) with an at least essentially burr-free edge (224), the through opening (214) is essentially free of material residues protruding into its free passage space (222). Fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an at least substantially burr-free passage opening (214) has at least substantially no bulges (246') protruding at least approximately in the direction of a normal of its edge surface (234) into its passage free space (222). has, wherein the bulges extend in particular at least approximately perpendicularly to a direction of extent of the edge surface (234) and a passage direction (218) of the passage opening (214). - 70 - Fuel cell device (100), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one fuel cell unit (110) having at least one metallic flat component (142), the flat component (142) having at least one through-opening (214) in a passage area (212). and in the case of at least one through-opening (214), an edge surface (234) delimiting a through-opening space (222) of this through-opening (214) in the direction of a through-flow direction (218) of this through-opening (214) with a deviation of at most 10°, in particular of at most 5° , extends from this passage direction (218). Fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one passage opening (214) in the passage area (212) has at least one of its extension dimensions measured transversely to the passage direction (218), in particular a smaller extension dimension of two transversely to the passage direction ( 218) measured expansion dimensions, is less than 200 pm, in particular less than 100 pm, in particular less than 50 pm, in particular less than 30 pm. Fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one through-opening (214) in the through-section (212) is designed as a slot or as a round hole and/or at least one through-opening (214) has an at least substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape. - 71 - Fuel cell device (100), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one fuel cell unit (110) having a metallic flat component (142), wherein the flat component (142) has at least one passage region (212) which is perforated, wherein in particular the through openings (214) forming the perforation in the through area (212) have one or more features of the preceding claims. Fuel cell device (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the at least one perforated passage area (212) has a large number of passage openings (214) no larger than 50 μm, in particular no larger than 30 μm. Fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat component (142) is formed at least essentially from exactly one, in particular metallic flat product (162) or from a plurality of in particular metallic flat products (162), in particular one flat product (162) of the flat component (142) at least essentially has a thickness of at least 30 μm, in particular at least 50 μm, and/or at most 250 μm, in particular at most 150 μm. Fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat component (142) is a sheet metal component and in particular the flat product is a sheet metal. Fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat component (142) has at least one embossed section, and the at least one passage region (212) is arranged in the at least one embossed section. - 72 - Fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one flat product (162) of the flat component (142) in at least one section, in particular an embossed section, locally obliquely to a surface extension of the flat component (142) extends. Fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one passage region (212) is arranged in a section which locally extends obliquely to a surface extent of the flat component (142). Fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one passage area (212) is arranged in a locally at least substantially parallel to a surface extension of the flat component (142) extending section. Fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat component (142) comprises a fluid guide section or a plurality of fluid guide sections. Fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one fluid guide section is formed at least partially in at least one flat product (162). Fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one passage area (212) adjoins at least one fluid guide section. - 73 - Fuel cell device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat component (142) is a bipolar plate. Fuel cell device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two flat components (142), designed in particular as a bipolar plate, form a cell unit (124) of the fuel cell unit (110), in particular together with a membrane component (144) arranged between the two flat components (142). , wherein in particular the fuel cell unit (110) comprises at least one stack (122) of a plurality of such flat components (142) and in particular membrane components (144). Fuel cell device (100), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is produced by means of a method according to one of the following claims directed to a method and/or by means of a system (360) according to one of the following claims directed to a system becomes. Method for producing a fuel cell device (100) comprising at least one fuel cell unit (110), the at least one fuel cell unit (110) having at least one metallic flat component (142), the method comprising at least the step of forming the at least one flat component (142) in one To provide passage area (212) with at least one at least one substantially burr-free edge (224) having passage opening (214). - 74 - Method, in particular according to the preceding claim, for producing a fuel cell device (100) comprising at least one fuel cell unit (110), the at least one fuel cell unit (110) having at least one metallic flat component (142), the method comprising at least the step providing the at least one flat component (142) with at least one through opening (214) in at least one through area (212) by the action of a laser radiation field (310). Method according to one of the preceding claims directed to a method, characterized in that the step of providing a through-opening (214) by the action of the laser radiation field (310) which is generated at a point (322) to be provided with the through-opening (214) in the laser radiation field (310) acts on the passage area (212) in such a way that the metallic material of the flat component (142) evaporates, in particular sublimates, at this point through the action of the laser radiation field (310). Method according to one of the preceding claims directed to a method, characterized in that the laser radiation field (310) is a pulsed laser radiation field. Method according to one of the preceding claims directed to a method, characterized in that radiation pulses of the pulsed laser radiation field (310) have a pulse duration of at most 10 ps, in particular of at most 1 ps, and/or a pulse duration of at least 300 fs, in particular of at least

800 fs. Method according to one of the preceding claims directed to a method, characterized in that a pulse energy in the pulsed laser radiation field (310) is at least 50 pJ, in particular at least 70 pJ, and/or at most 2,000 pJ, in particular at most 500 pJ. Method according to one of the preceding claims directed to a method, characterized in that the laser radiation field (310) is circularly polarized. Method according to one of the preceding claims directed towards a method, characterized in that a system (314) of optical elements for guiding the laser radiation field (310), in particular to different points (322) to be processed, is used. Method according to one of the preceding claims directed towards a method, characterized in that the laser radiation field (310) is divided into a plurality of partial radiation fields (328) and a plurality of partial radiation fields (328) are used to process a plurality of locations (322) on the flat component (142) at the same time . Method according to one of the preceding claims directed to a method, characterized in that a gas flow (344) is used to remove a material, in particular a removal of the vaporized material, from the at least one point to be processed, which is provided with a through-opening (214) is provided, at least to support. Method according to the preceding claim directed to a method, characterized in that the material is blown away from the point to be processed by means of at least part of the gas flow (344). Method according to one of the two preceding claims directed to a method, characterized in that the material is sucked off from the point to be processed by means of at least part of the gas flow (344). Method according to one of the preceding claims directed to a method, characterized in that a region of the flat component (142) is covered by the gas flow (344), in particular the gas flow (344) flows against it and/or the gas flow (344) from this Area flows away, this detected area comprising several points to be processed, in particular different partial radiation fields (328) of the laser radiation field (310) act on different points in the detected area. Method according to one of the preceding claims directed to a method, characterized in that the laser radiation field (310) and in particular its partial radiation fields (328) are guided independently of a guidance and/or an orientation of the gas flow (344). Method according to one of the preceding claims directed to a method, characterized in that at least part of the gas flow (344), in particular at least a large part of the gas flow (344), runs obliquely to a propagation direction of the laser radiation field (310). Method according to one of the preceding claims directed to a method, characterized in that the method further comprises at least the step of embossing at least one flat product. - 77 - Method according to one of the preceding claims directed to a method, characterized in that the method also includes at least one joining of at least one flat product (162) of the flat component (142) with at least one further component, in particular with at least one further flat product (162 ), includes, in particular, welding, in particular by means of laser welding, which includes at least one flat product (162) with at least one further component. Method according to one of the preceding claims directed towards a method, characterized in that the method comprises at least one step for providing the fuel cell device (100), in particular the flat component (142), with one or more features of the preceding claims directed towards a fuel cell device (100). includes. System (360) for producing a fuel cell device (100) comprising at least one fuel cell unit (110), the at least one fuel cell unit (110) having at least one flat metal component (142), the system (360), in particular a machine station (362) of the System (360), at least one laser radiation device (316) for providing the flat component (142) with at least one through-opening (214). System (360) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the laser radiation device (316) comprises at least one radiation field source (312) and a system (314) of optical elements for guiding a laser radiation field (310) provided by the radiation field source (312). - 78 - Plant (360) according to one of the preceding claims directed towards a plant (360), characterized in that the system (314) of optical elements comprises at least one adjustable optical element, for example a mirror whose position and/or orientation can be adjusted, for guiding the laser radiation field (310). System (360) according to one of the preceding claims directed towards a system (360), characterized in that the laser radiation device (316) has at least one beam splitter (326) for dividing a laser radiation field (310) into a plurality of partial radiation fields (328). System (360) according to one of the preceding claims directed towards a system (360), characterized in that the system (360), in particular the machine station (362) with the laser radiation device (316), comprises a gas flow device (342), by means of which a Gas flow (344) is provided, which acts on the point to be processed on the flat component (142). System (360) according to the preceding claim directed towards a system, characterized in that the gas flow device (342) has at least one gas nozzle (348) for providing a gas flow (344) flowing onto at least one point to be processed on the flat component (142) and/ or that the gas flow device (342) comprises at least one suction device (346) for sucking off a gas flow (344) from at least one point to be processed on the flat component (142). - 79 - System (360) according to one of the preceding claims directed towards a system, characterized in that the laser radiation device (316) and the gas flow device (342) are designed in such a way that the laser radiation field (310), in particular its partial radiation fields (328), can be guided independently of the gas flow (344). System (360) according to one of the preceding claims directed towards a system, characterized in that the system (360), in particular the machine station (362) with the laser radiation device (316) has an embossing device (372) for embossing at least one flat product (162) of the Includes flat component (142). System (360) according to one of the preceding claims directed towards a system (360), characterized in that the system (360), in particular the machine station (362) with the laser radiation device (310) comprises an additional laser system (342) for welding components , in particular for welding at least one flat product (162) to at least one other component, in particular to at least one other flat product (162).