Separator for fuel cell and fuel cell stack

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12580206-B2
Application number	US-202217868947-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 20, 2022
Priority date	Apr 12, 2022
Publication date	Mar 17, 2026
Grant date	Mar 17, 2026

Abstract

A separator for a fuel cell, which is stacked on a gas diffusion layer provided on a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), includes a plate body stacked on the gas diffusion layer and including a flow path part to define a reaction region to react with the membrane electrode assembly and manifold parts spaced apart from the flow path part; through-holes disposed in the plate body to guide target fluids that have passed through the manifold parts to the flow path part; and hole caps disposed on one surface of the plate body that faces the gas diffusion layer to at least partially cover the through-holes, the hole caps defining movement paths through which the target fluids move.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A separator for a fuel cell, which is configured to be stacked on a gas diffusion layer provided on a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), the separator comprising:
a plate body configured to be stacked on the gas diffusion layer and comprising a flow path part configured to define a reaction region configured to react with the membrane electrode assembly, and manifold parts spaced apart from the flow path part; through-holes disposed in the plate body and configured to guide target fluids that have passed through the manifold parts to the flow path part; and hole caps disposed on one surface of the plate body that faces the gas diffusion layer and configured to at least partially cover the through-holes, the hole caps being configured to define movement paths through which the target fluids move, wherein each hole cap comprises:
a side cap portion disposed on an edge of the respective through-holes; and
a top cap portion spaced apart from the plate body, configured to cover the respective through-holes, and supported by the side cap portion, and
wherein the movement paths are defined in a space between the top cap portion and the plate body, wherein each hole cap further comprises:
a side hole that penetrates a wall surface of the side cap portion to ensure smoother flow of the target fluids and reduce occurrence of differential pressure in the through-holes; and
reinforcing parts configured to support the hole caps on the plate body, wherein each reinforcing part comprises:
a center reinforcing member connected to an inner surface of the top cap portion;
a first side reinforcing member having a first end connected to a first side surface of the center reinforcing member and a second end connected to the plate body; and
a second side reinforcing member having a first end connected to a second side surface of the center reinforcing member and a second end connected to the plate body.

2 . The separator of claim 1 , wherein the side cap portion is continuously disposed along the edge of the respective through-holes.

3 . The separator of claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing part is disposed in the respective through-holes.

4 . The separator of claim 1 , wherein each reinforcing part further comprises a plurality of first side reinforcing members spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction of the center reinforcing member, and a plurality of second side reinforcing members spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the center reinforcing member.

5 . The separator of claim 1 , wherein each reinforcing part further comprises:
a center hole disposed in the center reinforcing member through the first side surface and the second side surface of the center reinforcing member.

6 . The separator of claim 1 , wherein the movement paths are parallel to the plate body.

7 . The separator of claim 1 , comprising:
a sealing member disposed on the plate body and configured to seal portions between adjacent through-holes, the sealing member being configured to define distribution channels configured to connect the flow path part and the through-holes so that the flow path part and the through-holes communicate with each other, wherein the hole caps are positioned in the respective distribution channels.

8 . The separator of claim 1 , wherein each hole cap is integrated with the plate body by partially processing a part of the plate body.

9 . A fuel cell stack comprising:
a membrane electrode assembly (MEA); a gas diffusion layer stacked on the membrane electrode assembly; and a separator comprising:
a plate body configured to be stacked on the gas diffusion layer and comprising a flow path part configured to define a reaction region configured to react with the membrane electrode assembly, and manifold parts spaced apart from the flow path part;
through-holes disposed in the plate body and configured to guide target fluids that have passed through the manifold parts to the reaction region; and
hole caps disposed on one surface of the plate body that faces the gas diffusion layer and configured to at least partially cover the through-holes, the hole caps being configured to define movement paths through which the target fluids move,
wherein each hole cap comprises:
a side cap portion disposed on an edge of the respective through-holes; and
a top cap portion spaced apart from the plate body, configured to cover the respective through-holes, and supported by the side cap portion, and
wherein the movement paths are defined in a space between the top cap portion and the plate body, and wherein each hole cap further comprises:
a side hole that penetrates a wall surface of the side cap portion to ensure smoother flow of the target fluids and reduce occurrence of differential pressure in the through-holes; and
reinforcing parts configured to support the hole caps on the plate body, wherein each reinforcing part comprises:
a center reinforcing member connected to an inner surface of the top cap portion;
a first side reinforcing member having a first end connected to a first side surface of the center reinforcing member and a second end connected to the plate body; and
a second side reinforcing member having a first end connected to a second side surface of the center reinforcing member and a second end connected to the plate body.

10 . The fuel cell stack of claim 9 , wherein each reinforcing part further comprises:
a center hole disposed in the center reinforcing member through the first side surface and the second side surface of the center reinforcing member.

11 . The fuel cell stack of claim 9 , comprising:
a sealing member disposed on the plate body and configured to seal portions between adjacent through-holes, the sealing member being configured to define distribution channels configured to connect the flow path part and the through-holes so that the flow path part and the through-holes communicate with each other, wherein the hole caps are positioned in the respective distribution channels.

12 . The fuel cell stack of claim 9 , wherein each hole cap is integrated with the plate body by partially processing a part of the plate body.

Assignees

• Hyundai Motor Co Ltd
• Kia Corp

Inventors

• Kim Bae Jung
• Kim Hyun Jeong
• Kim Ah Reum
• Park Young Chul
• Choi Hyun Kyu
• Kim Chan Gi
• Kim Sun Hwi

Classifications

• H01M8/1004

  characterised by membrane-electrode assemblies [MEA] (H01M8/12 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H01M8/0273

  with sealing or supporting means in the form of a frame · CPC title

• H01M4/8807

  Gas diffusion layers · CPC title

• Y02E60/50

  Fuel cells · CPC title

• H01M2008/1095

  Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes · CPC title