Fuel cell stack

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9385394-B2
Application number	US-201214371347-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 15, 2012
Priority date	Jan 10, 2012
Publication date	Jul 5, 2016
Grant date	Jul 5, 2016

Abstract

A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of stacked fuel cell units and at least one stack end element that are clamped a clamping device. The clamped fuel cell units are surrounded by a housing. A circumferential seal, in particular a lip seal, which has recesses for accommodating the clamping device is situated between the housing and the at least one stack end element. The clamping device is electrically insulated at least in the area of the recesses.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A fuel cell stack, comprising:
a plurality of stacked fuel cell units;
at least one stack end element;
a clamping device that clamps the stacked fuel cell units and the stack end element;
a housing that surrounds at least the clamped fuel cell units; and
a circumferential lip seal, which has recesses configured to accommodate the clamping device, is situated between the housing and the at least one stack end element and extends circumferentially around the at least one stack end element, wherein the clamping device is electrically insulated at least in the area of the recesses.

2. The fuel cell stack of claim 1 , wherein at least sections of the clamping device included molded insulation.

3. The fuel cell stack of claim 2 , wherein in an area of the recesses the insulation is configured in such a way that a positive-fit or force-fit connection is established between the insulation and the circumferential lip seal.

4. The fuel cell stack of claim 3 , wherein the insulation has a thickened area in the area of the recesses.

5. The fuel cell stack of claim 2 , wherein the insulation is made of a rubber, a foam, polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic polyurethane, or a thermoplastic polymer.

6. The fuel cell stack of claim 1 , wherein the circumferential lip seal is made of a rubber, a foam, polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic polyurethane, or a thermoplastic polymer.

7. A fuel cell stack, comprising:
a plurality of stacked fuel cell units;
at least one stack end element;
a clamping device that clamps the stacked fuel cell units and the stack end element;
a housing that surrounds at least the clamped fuel cell units; and
a circumferential lip seal, which has recesses configured to accommodate the clamping device, is situated between the housing and the at least one stack end element, wherein the clamping device is electrically insulated at least in the area of the recesses;
wherein the clamping device includes at least one tightening strap encircling the plurality of stacked fuel cell units and the stack end element.

8. The fuel cell stack of claim 7 , wherein the tightening strap is made of glass fiber or stainless steel.

9. The fuel cell stack of claim 1 , wherein the at least one stack end element forms a cover of the housing.

10. The fuel cell stack of claim 9 , wherein the at least one stack end element comprises two stack end elements, one of the stack end elements forming the cover of the housing, and the other of the stack end elements forming the base of the housing.

Assignees

• Daimler Ag

Inventors

• Guenthart Matthias
• Mex Ulf-Michael
• Stark Holger
• Werner Uwe
• Kobler Pius

Classifications

• H01M2008/1293

  Fuel cells with solid oxide electrolytes · CPC title

• H01M8/241

  with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes · CPC title

• H01M8/247 Primary

  Arrangements for tightening a stack, for accommodation of a stack in a tank or for assembling different tanks · CPC title

• H01M2008/1095

  Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes · CPC title

• H01M8/2475

  Enclosures, casings or containers of fuel cell stacks · CPC title