Patent Description:
A fuel cell is a device that generates electricity through hydrogencontaining fuel and air. The current mainstream technology is to use a proton exchange membrane. After the hydrogen is introduced into the anode, it is decomposed into hydrogen ions and electrons, and the hydrogen ions will then combine with the oxygen molecules of the cathode to produce water. Because the fuel cell will continue to produce water during continuous operation, to ensure continuous introduction of fuel gas, and the contact and reaction between the proton exchange membrane and the electrode will not be hindered by the water, a mechanism for continuously draining the generated water must be properly designed in order to maintain the normal operation of the fuel cell.

Accordingly, currently existing fuel cells are designed with flow channels on the electrode plates so as to achieve the purpose of draining the generated water. However, in response to the trend of increasing power consumption of various electrical equipment nowadays, the fuel cells are typically configured densely to generate as much power as possible in a limited space. When multiple fuel cells are densely arranged, a layer-by-layer squeezing situation may possibly occur between the structures. If the electrode plate designed with flow channels is squeezed, not only may it not be in contact with the proton exchange membrane as expected, but also the generated water may not be able to be drained smoothly. Thus, how to maintain the normal operation of the fuel cell in response to the current trend of large power consumption, while taking into account the smooth drainage of water, has become a topic that practitioners in related fields are eager to break through.

<CIT> describes a runner plate for a PEM fuel cell having improved water drainage,<CIT> discloses a compressible runner plate for a MCFC.

Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a fuel cell device that can alleviate at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art.

Accordingly, a fuel cell device of this disclosure includes a housing, a runner plate, two spaced-apart electrode plates, and a proton exchange membrane clamped between the electrode plates. The housing includes a housing body defining an inner space, two air guide tubes communicating with the inner space and suitable for respectively introducing hydrogen and oxygen into the inner space, and a drain pipe communicating with the inner space and suitable for draining water in the inner space.

The runner plate is disposed in the inner space and includes a plurality of straight sections arranged in two rows which are spaced apart in a first direction, and a plurality of connecting sections each of which is connected between one end of one of the straight sections of one of the two rows and one end of a corresponding straight section of the other row. The straight sections of each row extend in a second direction transverse to the first direction and are spaced apart from each other in a third direction transverse to the first and second directions. Each two adjacent ones of the straight sections of each row define an opening therebetween. The openings in the two rows of the straight sections are staggered with respect to each other. Each straight section has a width extending in the third direction greater than a width of each opening extending in the third direction, and has a plurality of penetrating holes spaced apart from each other along a length of a corresponding straight section.

Each two adjacent ones of the connecting sections are connected to and cooperate with a common straight section to define a drain channel extending in the second direction and communicating with the opening that aligns with the common straight section. The electrode plates are disposed in the inner space such that the runner plate is stacked on and in contact with one of the electrode plates.

Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that various features may not be drawn to scale.

Referring to <FIG>, a fuel cell device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing <NUM> defining an inner space <NUM>, a runner plate <NUM> disposed in the inner space <NUM>, two spaced-apart electrode plates <NUM>, and a proton exchange membrane <NUM> clamped between the electrode plates <NUM>. It should be noted herein that the first embodiment is described in the form of one basic unit. In actual use, two basic units can be stacked on each other, as shown in <FIG>, or even more basic units, to meet the required power supply, and is not limited to operating and using only one basic unit of the first embodiment. Further, the principle of generating electricity and by-product water through the proton exchange membrane <NUM> after the introduction of hydrogen and oxygen is not the technical focus of this disclosure, so it will not be repeated in the below description.

The housing <NUM> includes a housing body <NUM> defining the inner space <NUM>, two spaced-apart air guide tubes <NUM>, and a drain pipe <NUM>. Specifically, the housing body <NUM> has a peripheral flange <NUM>, a cover portion <NUM> extending upwardly from an inner periphery of the peripheral flange <NUM>, and a frame portion <NUM> connected to the peripheral flange <NUM> for limiting the runner plate <NUM> in the inner space <NUM>. The air guide tubes <NUM> are connected to the cover portion <NUM>, communicate with the inner space <NUM>, and are suitable for respectively introducing hydrogen and oxygen drain pipe <NUM> into the inner space <NUM>. The drain pipe <NUM> is connected to the cover portion <NUM> opposite to the air guide tubes <NUM>, communicates with the inner space <NUM>, and is suitable for draining water produced in the inner space <NUM> during operation of the first embodiment. It is emphasized herein that the specific shape of the housing body <NUM> is not limited to what is disclosed herein, as long as it can define a space for accommodating the runner plate <NUM>, the electrode plates <NUM> and the proton exchange membrane <NUM>, any shape of the housing body <NUM> is acceptable. Further, the air guide tubes <NUM> can be respectively connected to a hydrogen source and an oxygen source, and the drain pipe <NUM> can be connected downstream of a water storage or drainage equipment.

Referring to <FIG>, in combination with <FIG>, the runner plate <NUM> includes a plurality of straight sections <NUM> arranged in two rows which are spaced apart in a first direction (L1), and a plurality of connecting sections <NUM> each of which is connected between one end of one of the straight sections <NUM> of one of the rows and one end of a corresponding one of the straight sections <NUM> of the other row. The straight sections <NUM> of each row extend in a second direction (L2) transverse to the first direction (L1), and are spaced apart from each other in a third direction (L3) transverse to the first and second directions (L1, L2). Each two adjacent ones of the straight sections <NUM> of each row define an opening <NUM> therebetween. The openings <NUM> in the two rows of the straight sections <NUM> are staggered with respect to each other. That is, each straight section <NUM> is aligned with a corresponding one of the openings <NUM> in the other row of the straight sections <NUM> in the first direction (L1).

Each straight section <NUM> has a width extending in the third direction (L3) greater than a width of each opening <NUM> extending in the third direction (L3). Each two adjacent ones of the connecting sections <NUM> are connected to and cooperate with a common straight section <NUM> to define a drain channel <NUM> extending in the second direction (L2) and having a generally triangular cross section in the third direction (L3). The drain channel <NUM> communicates with the opening <NUM> that aligns with the common straight section <NUM> in the first direction (L1).

It should be noted that, because the runner plate <NUM> is made of a material that will moderately deform and bend after being subjected to an external force, such as a thin metal sheet, and is formed by repeatedly bending and folding the thin metal sheet, when the runner plate <NUM> is subjected to an external force in the first direction (L1), as shown in <FIG>, it will moderately deform and accumulate an elastic restoring force, thereby forming a buffer mechanism. Each straight section <NUM> has a plurality of penetrating holes <NUM> spaced apart from each other along a length thereof. If the runner plate <NUM> is excessively deformed by the external force, even if the openings <NUM> are blocked, the penetrating holes <NUM> can still perform the function of conducting gas and discharging water.

Referring again to <FIG>, the electrode plates <NUM> are disposed in the inner space <NUM> such that the runner plate <NUM> is stacked on and in contact with an upper one of the electrode plates <NUM>. Each electrode plate <NUM> includes a reaction plate portion <NUM> in contact with the proton exchange membrane <NUM>, and a connecting portion <NUM> extending outwardly from the reaction plate portion <NUM>. The reaction plate portion <NUM> is formed with a plurality of micropores <NUM> each of which has a diameter ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably, <NUM>. As such, water mainly generated around the proton exchange membrane <NUM> because of the reaction to the generation of electricity can be discharged in a direction away from the proton exchange membrane <NUM> through the micropores <NUM> of the upper electrode plate <NUM>. Furthermore, since the connecting portions <NUM> of the electrode plates <NUM> extend out of the inner space <NUM>, and in the case where the electrode plates <NUM> respectively represent a cathode and an anode, an external electrical equipment can use electric power generated by the operation of the first embodiment by electrically connecting with the connecting portions <NUM> of the electrode plates <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, when it is necessary to use a plurality of densely arranged fuel cell devices of the first embodiment, the fuel cell devices of the first embodiments are usually stacked in the first direction (L1). When the runner plate <NUM> is superimposed on the electrode plates <NUM>, it will be subjected to an external force in the first direction (L1). At this time, since the width of each straight section <NUM> of the runner plate <NUM> extending in the third direction (L3) is greater than the width of each opening <NUM> extending in the third direction (L3), the connecting sections <NUM> are inclined relative to the straight sections <NUM>, so that the runner plate <NUM> as a whole has a deformation allowance in the first direction (L1), and thus can produce a buffering effect.

In addition, deformation can also occur at junctions of the straight sections <NUM> and the connecting sections <NUM> due to the material. Therefore, when an external force in the first direction (L1) is applied to the runner plate <NUM>, adjacent straight sections <NUM> will be moved closer to each other in the third direction (L3), and the openings <NUM> will be narrowed. At this time, the connecting sections <NUM> can form a support in the first direction (L1). Without affecting the overall structural strength, through the characteristics of the narrowing of the openings <NUM> due to deformation, the straight sections <NUM> that are in contact with the upper electrode plate <NUM> can push the upper electrode plate <NUM> to contact the proton exchange membrane <NUM> so as to ensure that the reaction plate portion <NUM> of the upper electrode plate <NUM> can have a large area in contact with the proton exchange membrane <NUM>, thereby optimizing the power generation efficiency of the first embodiment.

It should be noted that, if more fuel cell devices of the first embodiment stacked on each other are used, regardless of the weight factor or the tightness of locking, each fuel cell device of the first embodiment will be subjected to a larger external force in the first direction (L1). When the external force is larger, the deformation of the runner plate <NUM> also becomes larger, so that the adjacent straight sections <NUM> may move close and abut against each other in the third direction (L3) nearly closing the openings <NUM>. At this time, even if the introduced gases are difficult to circulate through the openings <NUM>, the introduced gases can still circulate through the penetrating holes <NUM> in the straight sections <NUM> (see <FIG> or <FIG>), and contact the proton exchange membrane <NUM> through the micropores <NUM> of the electrode plate <NUM>, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the first embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, in combination with <FIG>, when the first embodiment is operated to generate electricity, water produced therefrom can permeate through the micropores <NUM> of the upper electrode plate <NUM>. Due to the supporting force provided by the connecting sections <NUM> of the runner plate <NUM>, the space of the drain channels <NUM> can still be maintained even if a large external force is received by the runner plate <NUM>, so that the produced water can be smoothly and continuously discharged to the outside through the drain pipe <NUM>, thereby preventing accumulation of water which can affect the normal operation of the first embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, a fuel cell device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown to be identical to the first embodiment, but differs in that, the fuel cell device of the second embodiment further includes a flow guide module <NUM> connected to one end of the runner plate <NUM> facing the air guide tubes <NUM>. To prevent the flow guide module <NUM> from affecting the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, the flow guide module <NUM> is made of a material that will not react chemically with hydrogen or oxygen, preferably aluminum metal or polypropylene (PP). The flow guide module <NUM> is elongated, and includes an outer side surface <NUM> opposite to the runner plate <NUM>, a buffer groove <NUM> extending inwardly from the outer side surface <NUM> for extension of the air guide tubes <NUM> therein, and a connecting surface <NUM> opposite to the outer side surface <NUM>. The connecting surface <NUM> has a shape corresponding to a shape of the one end of the runner plate <NUM>, and includes a plurality of spaced-apart insertion grooves <NUM> for insertion of the one end of the runner plate <NUM> therein, and a plurality of spaced-apart air inlet holes <NUM> located at positions respectively corresponding to the drain channels <NUM> and communicating with the buffer groove <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, in combination with <FIG> and <FIG>, hydrogen and oxygen respectively introduced by the air guide tubes <NUM> will first enter the buffer groove <NUM> and mix uniformly, after which they will separately enter the drain channels <NUM> through the air inlet holes <NUM> to conduct reaction. When hydrogen and oxygen to be reacted enter the drain channels <NUM> and contact the proton exchange membrane <NUM> through the openings <NUM> and the penetrating holes <NUM>, they are already uniformly mixed, so that the reaction efficiency thereof can be improved. Furthermore, when the runner plate <NUM> is engaged with the flow guide module <NUM>, since the flow guide module <NUM> is made of a slightly elastic material so that the structure thereof has its own flexibility, it can be deformed in the first direction (L1) together with the runner plate <NUM>. Thus, the advantageous effect of stacking as in the first embodiment can be similarly achieved using the second embodiment.

Claim 1:
A fuel cell device, comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) including a housing body (<NUM>) that defines an inner space (<NUM>), two air guide tubes (<NUM>) communicating with said inner space (<NUM>) and suitable for respectively introducing hydrogen and oxygen into said inner space (<NUM>), and a drain pipe (<NUM>) communicating with said inner space (<NUM>) and suitable for draining water in said inner space (<NUM>);
a runner plate (<NUM>) disposed in said inner space (<NUM>) and including
a plurality of straight sections (<NUM>) arranged in two rows which are spaced apart in a first direction (L1), said straight sections (<NUM>) of each row extending in a second direction (L2) transverse to the first direction (L1) and being spaced apart from each other in a third direction (L3) transverse to the first direction (L1) and the second direction (L2), each two adjacent ones of said straight sections (<NUM>) of each row defining an opening (<NUM>) therebetween, said openings (<NUM>) in said two rows of said straight sections (<NUM>) being staggered with respect to each other, each of said straight sections (<NUM>) having a width extending in the third direction (L3) greater than a width of each of said openings (<NUM>) extending in the third direction (L3), and having a plurality of penetrating holes (<NUM>) spaced apart from each other along a length of a corresponding one of said straight sections (<NUM>), and
a plurality of connecting sections (<NUM>) each of which is connected between one end of one of said straight sections (<NUM>) of one of said two rows and one end of a corresponding one of said straight sections (<NUM>) of the other one of said two rows, each two adjacent ones of said connecting sections (<NUM>) being connected to and cooperating with a common said straight section (<NUM>) to define a drain channel (<NUM>) extending in the second direction (L2) and communicating with said opening (<NUM>) that aligns with said common straight section (<NUM>);
two spaced-apart electrode plates (<NUM>) disposed in said inner space (<NUM>) such that said runner plate (<NUM>) is stacked on and in contact with one of said electrode plates (<NUM>); and
a proton exchange membrane (<NUM>) clamped between said electrode plates (<NUM>).