1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fuel cell. Particularly, it relates to a fuel cell having micro sensors that can detect its internal conditions without mounting extra sensors. It can detect the actual internal conditions in the fuel cell. There is no need to install extra micro sensors. The fuel cell stability and safety can be enhanced significantly.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Referring to
(a) a fluid inlet 11;
(b) a fluid outlet 12; and
(c) a channel 13 disposed on the bipolar plate 10 and connected with this fluid inlet 11 and the fluid outlet 12. Usually, this channel 13 consists of many snake-like curvy sections.
Concerning this catalytic portion 20, it is disposed between the bipolar plates 10.
The problems of the conventional fuel cell can be summarized as follows.
[1]. It cannot detect the internal conditions in the fuel cell. For most prior arts in this field, it is hard to detect the internal conditions inside the fuel cell because there is no any micro sensor inside. Thus, it is impossible to measure the actual conditions (like temperature, humidity, has pressure, etc.).
[2]. It is required to install micro sensors. For some prior arts, two thermal detectors and/or two tiny pressure gauges are mounted near the fluid inlet and fluid outlet respectively. By using them, the conditions at the entering and leaving points of the channel can be measured. However, it is hard to understand the actual temperature distribution or pressure distribution inside (such as a specific point in this channel). Besides, it is more complicated (and cost more) to install extra micro sensors on the existing bipolar plates. Thus, it is hard to detect the internal conditions in the channel of the fuel cell.
[3]. The overall fuel cell stability and safety are relatively low. Without installing these micro sensors, it is impossible to know the actual conditions inside the fuel cell. Furthermore, it is impossible to precisely control the temperature, humidity, pressure and other factors of the working fuel cell. Therefore, the fuel cell's stability and safety are relatively low.
The object of the invention is to provide a fuel cell having micro sensors that can detect the internal conditions in the fuel cell.
The other object of the invention is to provide a fuel cell having micro sensors. In which, there is no need to install extra micro sensors.
The further object of the invention is to provide a fuel cell having micro sensors. Its fuel cell stability and safety can be enhanced significantly.
The above objects are achieved according to this invention by providing a fuel cell having micro sensors comprising:
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the present invention is a fuel cell having micro sensors. It mainly comprises a pair of bipolar plates 10 and a catalytic portion 20. Concerning the pair of bipolar plates 10, each bipolar plate 10 has an inner surface 10A and an outer surface 10B. The inner surface 10A is disposed with
About this catalytic portion 20, it is positioned between the bipolar plates 10.
In fact, this channel 13 is curvy and surrounded by many blocking portions 16. Each blocking portion 16 contains an upper surface 161 (as shown in
Usually the fuel cell can be stacked together as a stacked configuration of fuel cell laminates so as to generate more electricity. During the electricity generating process, some fluid (such as water) and heat (causing high temperature) are generated. Because there are many micro sensors 14 disposed on some (or all) blocking portions 16 and on the inner surface 10A. They can detect the actual conditions of the fluid generated and detect the temperature distribution inside the fuel cell. All these detected signals are linked to the controller 30 outside the fuel cell.
Once the controller 30 receives an abnormal signal (such as the produced water is too much or the temperature is too high, etc.), it can control the pressure (such as reducing the pressure) or property of the supplying fuel gases (H2 and O2) in order to solve the problem detected.
As illustrated in
As shown in
The advantages and functions of the present invention can be summarized as follows:
[1]. It can detect the actual internal conditions in the fuel cell. In this invention, these micro sensors are mounted or embedded in suitable positions contact (or near) the channel's surface or on the blocking portions. So, it can precisely detect the actual temperature, humidity, gas pressure and other related information at specific points in the channel. By analyzing the detected data, when the function of this fuel cell is abnormal, the operator will know it. Furthermore, the gas pressure or humidity can be immediately adjusted (for example increasing or decreasing) so that the entire fuel cell will work fine.
[2] There is no need to install extra micro sensors. When the bipolar plates are manufactured in a factory, all these micro sensors are embedded or mounted on (or near) the channel's surface or on the blocking portions. In addition, the first securing element and the second securing element can be covered, if needed. Hence, these micro sensors will not protrude out to interfere the flow field in the channel. Also, these micro sensors are integral with the bipolar plates. Therefore, these micro sensors will not influence the flowing rate or flowing speed.
[3] The fuel cell stability and safety can be enhanced significantly. Not only these micro sensors can detect the current conditions inside the fuel cell, but also the invention can feed back proper commands to adjust the pressure of the supplying gas, the humidity of supplying gas or the like. Thus, during the normal operation, this invention can quickly react or make an optimal adjustment at the right timing to avoid any possible dangerous or undesired conditions. So, its stability and safety are enhanced significantly.
The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, not intended to limit the scope thereof. Many modifications of the above embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
094145111 | Dec 2005 | TW | national |