Fuel cell having heating unit therefor

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11205786-B2
Application number	US-201916686633-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 18, 2019
Priority date	Dec 7, 2018
Publication date	Dec 21, 2021
Grant date	Dec 21, 2021

Abstract

A fuel cell includes a cell stack including a plurality of stacked unit cells and a heating unit configured to apply heat to the cell stack. The heating unit includes a heat-generating part and a heat-generating-part support part disposed on an end side of the cell stack. The heat-generating-part support part allows the heat-generating part to be fitted thereinto or to be drawn out therefrom.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A fuel cell, comprising:
a cell stack comprising a plurality of stacked unit cells;
a heating unit configured to apply heat to the cell stack;
an end plate disposed on an end side of the cell stack; and
a current collector arranged between the end side of the cell stack and the end plate,
wherein the heating unit comprises:
a heat-generating part; and
a heat-generating-part support part disposed on the end side of the cell stack,

wherein the heat-generating-part support part allows the heat-generating part to be fitted thereinto or to be drawn out therefrom,
wherein the heating unit further comprises:
a power connection part connected to a driving power source; and
a cover part on which the power connection part is disposed,

wherein the heat-generating part comprises a planar heating element connected to the power connection part,
wherein the planar heating element is configured to generate heat in response to the driving power source, and
wherein the planar heating element is disposed on the end side of the cell stack.

2. The fuel cell according to claim 1 , wherein the heat-generating-part support part is arranged between the end side of the cell stack and the end plate.

3. The fuel cell according to claim 2 , wherein the heat-generating-part support part is arranged between the end side of the cell stack and the current collector.

4. The fuel cell according to claim 2 , wherein the heat-generating-part support part is arranged between the end plate and the current collector.

5. The fuel cell according to claim 1 , wherein the heat-generating-part support part is integrally formed with the end plate.

6. The fuel cell according to claim 1 , wherein the heat-generating-part support part is integrally formed with the current collector.

7. The fuel cell according to claim 1 , further comprising an enclosure surrounding at least a portion of lateral sides of the cell stack.

8. The fuel cell according to claim 7 , wherein the heating unit further comprises a fixing part configured to detachably secure the cover part to at least one of the end plate, the current collector, or the enclosure, and
wherein the cover part, the planar heating element, and the power connection part are integrally movable.

9. The fuel cell according to claim 8 , wherein the enclosure comprises a receiving recess formed in a periphery of the heat-generating part, and
wherein the fixing part and the power connection part extend from the cover part, and are received in the receiving recess.

10. The fuel cell according to claim 1 , wherein the heating unit further comprises a fixing part configured to detachably secure the cover part to the heat-generating-part support part, and
wherein the cover part, the planar heating element, and the power connection part are integrally movable.

11. The fuel cell according to claim 10 , wherein the cover part comprises a through-hole extending therein, and
wherein the fixing part comprises a fixing screw that is fastened to the heat-generating-part support part through the through-hole.

12. The fuel cell according to claim 7 , wherein the heating unit further comprises a heat conduction part configured to conduct heat from the heat-generating part to a periphery of the heat-generating part.

13. The fuel cell according to claim 12 , wherein the heat-generating-part support part comprises:
a first region in which the heat-generating part is mounted, the first region being disposed on the end side of the cell stack;
second regions in which manifolds are disposed, the second regions being opposite each other, with the first region interposed therebetween; and
third regions in which the heat conduction part is disposed, each of the third regions being disposed between the first region and a respective one of the second regions.

14. The fuel cell according to claim 12 , wherein the heat conduction part is arranged between the planar heating element and the end side of the cell stack.

15. The fuel cell according to claim 1 , wherein the planar heating element comprises:
a heater; and
a heater support part surrounding at least a portion of the heater.

16. The fuel cell according to claim 15 , wherein the heater has a film shape or a plate shape.

17. The fuel cell according to claim 15 , wherein the heater support part comprises at least one of metal, ceramic, or an insulating material.

18. The fuel cell according to claim 1 , wherein the heating unit is disposed on each of two end sides of the cell stack.

19. A fuel cell, comprising:
a cell stack comprising a plurality of stacked unit cells;
a heating unit configured to apply heat to the cell stack;
an end plate disposed on an end side of the cell stack; and
a current collector arranged between the end side of the cell stack and the end plate,
wherein the heating unit comprises:
a heat-generating part; and
a heat-generating-part support part disposed on the end side of the cell stack,

wherein the heat-generating-part support part allows the heat-generating part to be fitted thereinto or to be drawn out therefrom,
wherein the heat-generating-part support part is arranged between the end side of the cell stack and the end plate, and
wherein the heat-generating-part support part is arranged between the end side of the cell stack and the current collector.

Assignees

• Hyundai Motor Co Ltd
• Kia Motors Corp

Inventors

• Nam Gi Young
• Baeck Suk Min
• Ko Hyun Woong
• Kim Ju Han
• Yeon Seung Jun
• Ohm Ki Wook
• Kim Duck Whan
• Heo Yong Suk

Classifications

• H01M8/2465 Primary

  Details of groupings of fuel cells · CPC title

• H01M2250/20

  Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane · CPC title

• H01M8/24

  Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells · CPC title

• H01M8/04074

  Heat exchange unit structures specially adapted for fuel cell · CPC title

• H01M8/0267

  having heating or cooling means, e.g. heaters or coolant flow channels · CPC title