Patent Application
20230327146
The present disclosure is directed to a single sheet bipolar plate for cell stack assembly and methods of making and using the same.
Electrochemical cells and electrolytic cells provide chemical reactions that include electricity. For example, a fuel cell uses hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity. An electrolyzer uses water and electricity to produce hydrogen and oxygen.
An electrolyzer comprises one or more electrolytic cells that utilize electricity to chemically produce substantially pure hydrogen and oxygen from water. Often the electrical source for the electrolyzer is produced from power or energy generation systems. In turn, the pure hydrogen produced by the electrolyzer is often utilized as a fuel or energy source for those same power generation systems, such as fuel cell systems.
The typical electrolytic cell, also referred to as an “electrolyzer cell,” is comprised of many assemblies compressed and bound into a stack. An electrolytic cell includes a multi-component membrane electrode assembly (MEA) that has an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. Typically, the anode, cathode, and electrolyte of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) are configured in a multi-layer arrangement that enables the electrochemical reaction to produce hydrogen via contact with one or more gas diffusion layers. A gas diffusion layer (GDL) and/or a porous transport layer (PTL) is typically located on one or both sides of the MEA. Bipolar plates (BPP) often reside on either side of the GDLs and separate the individual electrolytic cells of the stack from one another.
In tradition electrolyzers, adjacent bipolar plates (BPP) house the MEA (e.g., anode, cathode, electrolyte) and the gas diffusion layer (GDL) such that overall alignment of the cell components is maintained for optimal operation and performance of the electrolyzer. Electrolyzer cell component alignment is important to ensure that cell-to-cell features, such as manifolds and active regions, as well as external interfacing devices, are compatible with the full electrolyzer stack assembly. Therefore, reduction of such layered components within the MEA of an electrolyzer cell to improve the contact, alignment, and heat retention and/or transfer within and between the electrolytic cells would be beneficial to improve operation and performance of electrolyzers. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide an electrolyzer assembly having reduced component layers.
The present disclosure is directed to a single sheet bipolar plate for stack assembly to address this unmet need. Specifically, the present single sheet bipolar plate for stack assembly provides flow and sealing management solutions that include variable flow depths, cross-directional reactant flow, and reactant sealing, which are an improvement over current electrolyzer technologies. Additionally, the present single sheet bipolar plate for stack assembly also improves heat transfer and/or retention, reduces pressure drop, maintains mechanical resistance to collapse, as well as precise alignment of cell-to-cell features with reduced expense.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are included to meet these and other needs. The present disclosure is directed to an electrochemical cell bipolar plate for stack assembly including a single sheet of formable material, a plurality of water channels, a plurality of hydrogen channels, a plurality of lands, and a seal. The electrochemical cell may be a fuel cell or an electrolyzer cell.
The single sheet of formable material has an anode side and a cathode side opposite the anode side, and the anode side and the cathode side have a different structural configuration. The formable material may be an electrically conductive material. The electrically conductive material may be metal. The different configuration may be an offset configuration or a complementary configuration.
The plurality of water channels are on the anode side, while the plurality of hydrogen channels are on the cathode side. The water channels and the hydrogen channels have a cross-flow configuration. The water channels may include water distribution channels or water main flow field channels. Likewise, the hydrogen channels may include hydrogen distribution channels or hydrogen main flow field channels.
The plurality of lands provide the water channels and the hydrogen channels. Each of the lands comprise a groove and a flange. Two or more of the grooves may be sealing grooves.
The seal is positioned within the flange to provide a variable groove depth for the land. The seal may be an inner seal or an outer seal. The seal may close the anode side and the cathode side of the electrochemical cell bipolar assembly plate to form a closed system.
The present disclosure is also directed to an electrochemical cell bipolar plate for stack assembly including a single sheet of formable material, a plurality of water channels, and a plurality of hydrogen channels. The electrochemical cell may be a fuel cell or an electrolyzer cell.
The single sheet of formable material includes an anode side and a cathode side opposite the anode side. The anode side and the cathode side have a different structural configuration. The formable material may be a metallic or non-metallic electrically conductive material. The metallic electrically conductive material may include titanium, nickel, aluminum, steel, or combinations thereof. The steel may be stainless steel. The different configuration may include an offset configuration or a complementary configuration
The plurality of water channels include a plurality of humps on the anode side. The plurality of hydrogen channels include a plurality of cavities on the cathode side. The water channels and the hydrogen channels have a cross-flow configuration that improves thermal management and heat transfer of one or more fluids in the plate. The water channels may include water distribution channels or water main flow field channels. The water main flow field channels may include the humps. The hydrogen channels may include hydrogen distribution channels or hydrogen main flow field channels. The hydrogen main flow field channels may include the cavities. Water may flow over the humps and hydrogen may flow within the cavities.
The present disclosure is also directed to an electrochemical cell bipolar plate for stack assembly including a single sheet of formable material, a plurality of water distribution channels and water main flow field channels, and a plurality of hydrogen distribution channels and hydrogen main flow field channels.
The single sheet of formable material includes an anode side and a cathode side opposite the anode side. The anode side and the cathode side have a complementary or offset structural configuration. The formable material may be electrically conductive.
The plurality of water distribution channels and water main flow field channels are on the anode side, while the plurality of hydrogen distribution channels and hydrogen main flow field channels are on the cathode side. The water distribution channels and water main flow field channels have a cross-flow configuration with the hydrogen distribution channels and hydrogen main flow field channels.
The cross-flow configuration may include an angle. The angle may range from about 0 degrees to about 180 degrees. The angle of the cross-flow configuration may be about 90 degrees.
The water distribution channels and the hydrogen distribution channels include a plurality of lands. Each of the lands include a groove, a flange, and a seal positioned within the flange to provide a variable groove depth. Two or more of the plurality of lands may form the water distribution channels and the hydrogen distribution channels. The seal may include an inner seal or an outer seal.
The water main flow fields include a plurality of humps and the hydrogen main flow fields include a plurality of cavities to improve thermal management and heat transfer of one or more fluids in the plate. The one or more fluids may include water, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, coolant, or electrolyte. The humps may include any formable feature that can affect the flow direction of the one or more fluids.
The present disclosure is also directed to a cell stack assembly including a first single sheet of formable material, an electrolyte membrane, and a second single sheet of formable material. The first single sheet of formable material includes a first anode side and a first cathode side opposite the first anode side. The second single sheet of formable material includes a second anode side and a second cathode side opposite the second anode side. The cell stack assembly may include comprising electrolyzer cells or fuel cells. The formable material may be an electrically conductive material. The electrically conductive material may be metal. The assembly may further include one or more inner seals or outer seals.
The first single sheet and the second single sheet have a complementary or offset structural configuration including a plurality of water channels and a plurality of hydrogen channels. The water channels and the hydrogen channels have a cross-flow configuration and improve thermal management and heat transfer of one or more fluids in the stack. The one or more fluids may include a liquid or a gas. The one or more fluids may include water, hydrogen, or oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, coolant, or electrolyte. The complementary or offset configuration of the first sheet and the second sheet may prevent or reduce collapse of the stack
The plurality of water channels include a plurality of humps on the first anode side and the second anode side. The plurality of water channels alternate on the first anode side and the second anode side such that the water channels of the first single sheet and the second single sheet do not align. Water may flow over the humps. The humps may include any formable feature that can affect the flow direction of the one or more fluids.
The plurality of hydrogen channels include a plurality of cavities on the first cathode side and the second cathode side. The plurality of hydrogen channels alternate on the first anode side and the second anode side such that the hydrogen channels of the first single sheet and the second single sheet do not align. Hydrogen may flow within the cavities.
Finally, the present disclosure is also directed to a method of making a single sheet bipolar plate including a first step of forming a single sheet of formable material in a single forming or a multi-forming process to create a formed structure. The formed structure includes an anode side and a cathode side each including a plurality of fluid distribution channels and main flow field channels. Each of the fluid distribution channels includes a groove, a flange, and a land. Each of the main flow field channels includes a plurality of humps and cavities. The forming step may be performed by hydroforming, stamping, natural forming, printing, or progressive forming.
The method further includes the second step of sealing the distribution channels or the main flow field channels to create a closed system. The sealing step may be performed by applying a seal to the flange, the groove, or the land of the distribution channels. The seal may be applied to the flange. The seal may be an inner seal. The sealing step may be performed by applying a seal to an outer sealing area of the plate. The seal may be an outer seal. The sealing step may be performed by parallel groove forming. The sealing step may include sealing the anode side. The sealing step may including sealing the cathode side. The sealing step may include a water seal or a hydrogen seal.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings described herein. Reference is also made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced.
The present disclosure is directed to an electrochemical cell bipolar assembly plate 100 and/or 101 for use in any electrochemical reaction, particularly any electrolytic reaction utilizing a charge (+ or −) of electricity to generate a new product (e.g., hydrogen). For example, an electrochemical cell utilizing the present bipolar plate may be a fuel cell or an electrolyzer cell 80.
As shown in
The typical electrolyzer cell 80 or electrolytic cell 80, is comprised of multiple assemblies compressed and bound into a single assembly. Multiple electrolyzer cells 80 may be stacked relative to each other, along with bipolar plates (BPP) 84, 85 there between, to form an electrolyzer cell stack (for example, electrolyzer cell stacks 11, 12 in
An electrolyzer cell 80 includes a multi-component membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 81 that has an electrolyte 81E, an anode 81A, and a cathode 81C. Typically, the anode 81A, cathode 81C, and electrolyte 81E of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 81 are configured in a multi-layer arrangement that enables the electrochemical reaction to produce hydrogen and/or oxygen via contact of the water with one or more gas diffusion layers 82, 83. The gas diffusion layers (GDL) 82, 83, which may also be referred to as porous transport layers (PTL), are typically located on one or both sides of the MEA 81. Bipolar plates (BPP) 84, 85 often reside on either side of the GDLs and separate the individual electrolyzer cells 80 of the electrolyzer cell stack 11, 12 from one another. One bipolar plate 85 and the adjacent gas diffusion layers 82, 83 and MEA 81 can form a repeating unit 88.
As shown in
The electrolysis systems 10 may include one or more types of electrolyzer cell stacks 11, 12 therein. In the illustrated embodiment, a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzer cell 80 may be utilized in the stacks 11, 12. A PEM electrolyzer cell 80 typically operates at about 4° C. to about 150° C., including any specific or range of temperatures comprised therein. A PEM electrolyzer cell 80 also typically functions at about 100 bar or less of pressure, but can go up to about 1000 bar, including any specific or range of pressures comprised therein. This pressure range reduces the total energy demand of the system.
A standard electrochemical reaction that occurs in a PEM electrolyzer cell 80 to produce hydrogen is as follows.
Anode: 2H2O→O2+4H++4e−
Cathode: 4H++4e−→2H2
Overall: 2H2O (liquid)→2H2+O2
Additionally, a solid oxide electrolyzer cell 80 may be utilized in the electrolysis system 10. A solid oxide electrolyzer cell 80 will function at a temperature of about 500° C. to about 1000° C., including any specific or range of temperatures comprised therein. A standard electrochemical reaction that occurs in a solid oxide electrolyzer cell 80 to produce hydrogen is as follows.
Anode: 2O2−→O2+4e−
Cathode: 2H2O→4e−+2H2+2O2−
Overall: 2H2O (liquid)→2H2+O2
Moreover, an AEM electrolyzer cell 80 may be utilized, which uses an alkaline media. An exemplary AEM electrolyzer cell 80 is an alkaline electrolyzer cell 80. Alkaline electrolyzer cells 80 comprise aqueous solutions, such as potassium hydroxide (KOH) and/or sodium hydroxide (NaOH), as the electrolyte.
Alkaline electrolyzer cells 80 typically perform at operating temperatures ranging from about 0° C. to about 150° C., including any specific or range of temperatures comprised therein. Alkaline electrolyzer cell 80 generally operate at pressures ranging from about 1 bar to about 100 bar, including any specific or range of pressures comprised therein. A typical hydrogen-generating electrochemical reaction that occurs in an alkaline electrolyzer cell 80 is as follows.
Anode: 4OH−→O2+2H2O+4e−
Cathode: 4H2O+4e−→2H2+4OH−
Overall: 2H2O2H2+O2
As shown in
The hydrogen separator 16 may be configured to output pure hydrogen gas and also send additional output fluid to a hydrogen drain tank 20, which then outputs fluid 124, 138 to a deionized water drain 21. The oxygen separator 14 may output fluid to an oxygen drain tank 24, which in turn outputs fluid to a deionized water drain 25. A person skilled in the art would understand that certain inputs and outputs of fluid may be pure water or other fluids, such as coolant or byproducts of the chemical reactions of the electrolyzer cell stacks 11, 12. For example, oxygen and hydrogen may flow away from the cell stacks 11, 12 to the respective separators 14, 16. The system 10 may further include a rectifier 32 configured to convert electricity 33 flowing to the cell stacks 11, 12 from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC).
The deionized water drains 21, 25 each output to a deionized water tank 40, which is part of a polishing loop 36 of the fluidic circuit 10FC, as shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the deionized water tank 40 outputs fluid, in particular water, to a deionized water polishing pump 144. The deionized water polishing pump 144 in turn outputs the water to a water polishing heat exchanger 46 for polishing and treatment. The water then flows to a deionized water resin tank 48.
Coolant is directed through the electrolysis systems 10, in particular through a deionized water heat exchanger 72 that is fluidically connected to the oxygen separator 14. The coolant used to cool said water may also be subsequently fed to the water polishing heat exchanger 46 via a coolant input 27 for polishing. The coolant is then output back to the deionized water heat exchanger 72 for cooling the water therein.
After the water is output from the deionized water polishing heat exchanger 46 and subsequently to the deionized water resin tank 48, a portion of the water may be fed to deionized water high pressure feed pumps 60. Another portion of the water may be fed to a deionized water pressure control valve 52, as shown in
In some embodiments, the electrolysis system 10 may increase deionized water skid for polishing water flow to flush out ions within the water at a faster rate. The portion of the water that is fed to the deionized water high pressure feed pumps 60 is then output to a deionized water feed 64, which then flows into the oxygen separator 14 for recirculation and eventual reusage in the electrolyzer cell stacks 11, 12. This process may then continuously repeat.
The electrolysis systems 10 described herein, may be used in stationary and/or immovable power system, such as industrial applications and power generation plants. The electrolysis systems 10 may also be implemented in conjunction with other electrolysis systems 10.
The present electrolysis system 10 may be comprised in a stationary or mobile application. The electrolysis system 10 may be comprised by or in a vehicle or a powertrain 100. A vehicle or powertrain 100 comprising the electrolysis systems 10 may be an automobile, a pass car, a bus, a truck, a train, a locomotive, an aircraft, a light duty vehicle, a medium duty vehicle, and/or a heavy duty vehicle. In addition, it may be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the electrolysis system 10, electrolyzer stack 11, 12, and/or the electrolyzer cell 80 described in the present disclosure may be substituted for any electrochemical system, such as a fuel cell system, a fuel cell stack, and/or a fuel cell (FC), respectively. As such, in some embodiments, the features and aspects described and taught in the present disclosure regarding electrolysis system 10, electrolyzer stack 11, 12, and/or the electrolyzer cell 80 also relate to a fuel cell system, a fuel cell stack, and/or a fuel cell (FC), respectively. In further embodiments, the features and aspects described or taught in the present disclosure do not relate, and are therefore distinguishable from, those of a fuel cell system, a fuel cell stack, and/or a fuel cell (FC).
In an exemplary embodiment, the electrochemical cell is an electrolyzer cell 80. Bipolar plates (BPP) 84, 85 of the electrolyzer cell 80 may comprise a single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101. The electrolyzer cell 80 may include the single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly. Further, the single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack assembly may be used in an electrolyzer cell 80 (also referred to as an electrolytic cell or an electrolysis cell), the electrolyzer stack 11, 12, and/or the electrolysis system 10 (also referred to as an electrolyzer system).
The present single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly may be operationally and functionally incorporated into an electrolyzer cell 80 or a fuel cell system. Fuel cells typically require at least three chambers or flow fields to house gaseous anode (hydrogen) and cathode (oxygen) reactants separately from a liquid coolant. Since electrolyzers may not require coolant or may incorporate coolant into their anode and/or cathode reactant flow fields when necessary, there is no absolute need for a separate coolant flow field for an electrolysis system 10, electrolyzer stack 11, 12, and/or the electrolyzer cell 80 as is operationally required for most standard fuel cell systems in the current market.
Accordingly, while the present single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for electrolyzer stack 11, 12 assembly is ideal for electrolyzer systems 10, stacks 11, 12, and cells 80 that typically only require two flow fields for anode and cathode reactant flow, it could be used for other types of electrochemical systems (e.g., fuel cell systems) and/or electrolytic systems that also only require two separate flow fields. For example, air-cooled fuel cell systems that do not comprise or require a separate flow field for liquid coolant, because the system is cooled by air, could also utilize the present single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly.
The present single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly provides the requisite separation of anode and cathode reactant flow fields to catalyze the above-noted hydrogen-generating chemical reactions via a single sheet of formable material 102. A single sheet of formable material 102 of the present disclosure refers to only one (1), about one (1), and/or no more than one (1) sole or a single sheet of material being utilized to produce the final bipolar electrolysis assembly plate used for electrolyzer operation. Any single sheet of formable material 102 may be composed of multiple layers that are previously and/or mechanically, electrochemically, chemically, automatedly, automatically, and/or manually adjoined to provide a single sheet of formable material for further manipulation as described herein.
Manually or mechanically, through one (e.g., single forming) or more forming (e.g., multiple forming) processes, the single sheet of formable material 102 will then be simultaneously, collectively, and/or uniformly formed into the presently described bipolar electrolysis assembly plate 100 and/or 101. In an illustrative embodiment, only a single forming process is utilized to form the present plate 100 and/or 101. In further embodiments, more than one, a couple, a few, multiple, and/or a plurality (e.g., three or more) forming processes may be required to form the present plate 100 and/or 101. In addition, multiple stages of one or more different types of forming processes or multiple different methods may be required to create a formed structure of the plate 100 and/or 101. Once the single sheet bipolar plate for stack assembly is formed, it may encapsulate the anode 114, cathode 116, and/or electrolyte 118 components.
A formable material 102 of the present single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly may be any material known in the mechanical arts used to form a heat-resistant, damage-resistant, and/or collapse-resistant structure. The formable material 102 may be any electrically conductive material, such as metals, plastics, composites, cladded materials, hybrid materials, alloys, and/or coated materials. In some embodiments, the formable material 102 is non-metallic, while in exemplary embodiments, the formable materials is metallic.
For example, a formable material 102 of the single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly may be a metal. While any precious, semi-precious, or non-precious metal may be utilized, an exemplary metal of the single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly includes titanium, nickel, aluminum, steel, and/or combinations thereof. An exemplary steel formable material 102 is a stainless steel.
The formable material 102 is a single sheet of material having no or minimal structural features or flaws prior to forming. The structure-free formable material 102 may then be configured and/or formed to produce the single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly having structural features required for reactant flow and electrolyzer performance. For example, the single sheet of formable material 102 will be configured to have structural features on multiple sides. Specifically, the single sheet bipolar plate for stack assembly will be formed to have structural features on two sides.
Notably, a first or top side 104 of the single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly will have a same, substantially similar, complementary, inverse, and/or mirror image on the opposite side of the plate (e.g., the second or bottom side of the plate 106). Similarly, a second or bottom side 106 of the single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly will also have a same, substantially similar, complementary, inverse, and/or mirror image on the opposite side of the sheet (e.g., the first or top side 104 of the plate 100 and/or 101). Formation of the same, substantially similar, complementary, inverse, and/or mirror image structural features located on the first/top side 104 and second/bottom side 106 on a single plate 100 and/or 101 or sheet 102 by one or more forming processes negates the need for multiple different layers of components as is currently required within traditional electrochemical cell formation and/or manufacturing.
In some embodiments, either of the first/top side 104 or the second/bottom side 106 of the single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly may comprise an anode (water) 114 or a cathode (hydrogen) 116 of the electrolyzer cell. Importantly, the anode 114 and the cathode 116 must be comprised on opposite sides of the single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the first/top side 104 comprises the anode (water) 114, while the second/bottom side 106 of the single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly may comprise the cathode (hydrogen) 116 of the electrolyzer cell.
The top and bottom sides 104, 106 of the plate 100 and/or 101 also include one or more hydrogen outlets or out ports 110 for hydrogen (H2) to exit the plate 100 and/or 101 after production within the plate 100 and/or 101. The plate 100 embodiment of
While any number of flow and distribution channels 112 and main flow field channels 120 may be provided by the present plate 100 and/or 101, typically the flow and distribution channels and main flow field channels 120 located on either side 104, 106 of the plate 100 and/or 101 may range from about 5 to about 5000, including any specific number comprised therein. In some embodiments, the number of distribution channels may range from about 50 to about 500, from about 250 to about 3000, from about 1000 to about 2500, and about 2500 to about 5000, including any number comprised therein.
Referring to
The coolant may be liquid or gaseous. The electrolyte may be any liquid, solid, or gaseous solution having any concentration. Water 124 of the channels 112, 120 may also comprise one or more gases, such as oxygen (02). In particular, water 124 on the anode side 104 of the plate 100 and/or 101 may also comprise oxygen (O2), both of which may be exhausted from the plate 100 and/or 101.
Importantly, the flow and distribution channels 112 and/or the main flow field channels 120 may be provided in the plate 100 and/or 101 in a cross-flow configuration 126 (see
This cross-flow configuration 126 of the flow channels 112, 120 provides a multidirectional or at least a bidirectional flow of fluids 124 on either side 104, 106 of the plate 100 and/or 101, such that the fluids 124, 138 do not flow in the same direction and do not make contact. For example, the flow of water 124 in the water flow distribution and/or main flow field channels 112, 120 on the top, anode side 104 of the plate 100 and/or 101 may flow in a vertical, such as from a top-to-bottom and a North-to-South direction or a bottom-to-top and a South-to-North direction. At the same time, the flow of hydrogen 138 in the hydrogen flow distribution channels on the bottom, cathode side 106 of the plate 100 and/or 101 may flow in a horizontal, such as from a left-to-right and an East-to-West direction or a right-to-left and a West-to-East direction.
Conversely, the flow of water 124 in the water flow distribution and/or main flow field channels 112, 120 on the top, anode side 104 of the plate 100 and/or 101 may flow in a horizontal, such as a left-to-right and a or East-to-West direction or a right-to-left and a West-to-East direction. At the same time, the flow of hydrogen 138 in the hydrogen flow distribution and/or main flow field channels 112, 120 on the bottom, cathode side 106 of the plate 100 and/or 101 may flow in a vertical, such as a top-to-bottom and a North-to-South direction or a bottom-to-top and a South-to-North direction.
In exemplary a cross-flow 126 configuration, the distribution and/or main flow field channels 112, 120 on opposite sides of the plate may flow fluids 124, 138 in a perpendicular (i.e., a 90° angle) orientation and/or direction. An exemplary cross-flow configuration 126 is shown in
In other cross-flow configurations 126, the fluid 124, 128 on either side 104, 106 of the plate 100 and/or 101 may flow 126 at any angle and/or direction that crosses. Specifically, the cross-flow configuration 126 of the fluids 124, 138 in their channels 112, 120 may have any angle ranging from about 0 degrees (0°) to about 180 degrees (180°), including any specific or range of angles comprised therein) For example, the flow of the fluids 124, 138 may be at any angle, such that that the flow of the fluid 124, 138 on one side of the plate 100 and/or 101 is not at the same angle and/or direction as the fluid 124, 138 flowing on the opposite side 104, 106 of the plate 100 and/or 101. In some additional embodiments, the fluids 124, 138 on opposite sides 104, 106 of the plate 100 and/or 101 may also flow in the same direction (e.g., parallel), such that they do not have a cross-flow configuration 126.
The flow and distribution channels 112 (“distribution channels”) are separate from and different than the main flow field channels 120 of the plate 100 and/or 101. Specifically, the distribution channels 112 are located on the exterior periphery of the top and bottom side 104, 106 of the plate 100 and/or 101 to enable fluid 124, 138 to flow from the inlets 108 or other portions or areas of the plate 100 and/or 101 into the interior active portion 122 of the plate 100 and/or 101. The interior active portion 122 of the plate 100 and/or 101 comprises the plurality of main flow field channels 120 where hydrogen-generating electrochemical reactions take place.
Importantly, each of the plurality of distribution channels 112 and/or main flow field channels 120 are formed by being coupled between two lands 128. Each land 128 represents an area or portion of the plate 100 and/or 101 that was formed within its formed structure. The lands 128 protrude vertically above portions of the sides 104, 106 of the plate 100 and/or 101 that remain relatively or substantially unformed 136. Typically, at least two lands 128 are configured to adjoin in order to form a distribution channel 112 or a main flow field channel 120. Therefore, the low and alternating regions located between two lands 120 on each side 104, 106 of the plate 100 and/or 101 constitute one of the plurality of distribution channels 112 and/or one of the plurality of main flow field channels 120.
The land 128 of the distribution channels 112 comprises a groove 130 and a flange 132. The groove 130 is the top portion of the land 128 and is also provided within the formed structure of the single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly. The groove 130 also represents the maximum height to hold a maximum volume of fluid 124, 138 within the adjacent distribution channels 112, the adjacent main flow field channels 120, and/or on the opposite side 104, 106 of the plate 100 and/or 101.
The groove 130 height of the land 128 of the distribution channels 112 may be the same, substantially similar, and/or different from the groove 130 height of the land 128 of the main flow field channels 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the groove 130 height of the land 128 of the distribution channels 112 and the main flow field channels 120 are formed to be the same or substantially similar. In alternative embodiments, the groove 130 height of the land 128 of the distribution channels 112 and the main flow field channels 120 are different. For example, height of the land 128 and/or groove 130 of the distributions channels 112 may be greater than or less than the height of the land 128 and/or groove 130 of the main flow field channels 120.
The flange 132 is provided in the formed structure of the plate 100 and/or 101 in order to vary or extend a height of the land 128 or the grove 130, a depth of the distribution channels 112, and/or a depth of the main flow field channels 120. The flange 132 is the bottom portion of the land 128. The flange 132 is located in the area of the distribution channels 112 and/or the main flow fields 120 specifically to extend the height of the land 128 and the groove 130 as well as the depth of the channels 112, 120.
In one embodiment, the flange 132 is located at the base of the distribution channels 112, the land 128, and the groove 130 so as to provide the same extension of height or depth to those components. In a preferred embodiment, the flange 132 of the land 128 is the bottom portion of the land 128. More specifically, the flange 132 of the land 128 is located below the groove 128 portion of the land 128. The flange 132 is provided to effect and/or vary the amount and/or direction of fluid 124, 138 flowed in the adjacent distribution channels 112, the main flow field channels 120, and/or within the land 128.
In another embodiment, the flange 132 may have a different height that is provided at the base of the distribution channels 112 and the main flow field channels 120. Therefore, the height of the lands 128 and grooves 130 and the depth of the channels 112 in the distribution area 112 may be greater than the height of the lands 128 and grooves 130 and the depth of the channels 120 in the interior active region 122. Alternatively, the height of the lands 128 and grooves 130 and the depth of the channels 112 in the distribution area 112 may be less than the height of the lands 128 and grooves 130 and the depth of the channels 120 in the interior active region 122.
A flange 132 may be provided in the main flow field channels 120, but not provided in the distribution channels 112. In exemplary embodiments, a flange 132 is provided in the distribution channels 112, but a flange 132 is not provided in the main flow field channels 120 (see
A variable groove depth of the plate 100 and/or 101 refers to the maximum area, depth, and/or volume of the groove 130 portion of the land 128 and/or the channels 112, 120 being changed, varied, and/or reduced in order to facilitate or control the amount, volume, and/or direction of fluid 124, 138 flow. The variable groove depth may be mechanically, manually, and/or automatically manipulated, such that a maximum depth, amount, or volume of fluids 124, 138 that flow through the groove 130 of the land 128, the distribution channels 112, and/or the main flow fields 120 is changed and/or varied within the distribution channels 112 and/or main flow fields 120 of the plate 100 and/or 101. For example, the groove 130 depth of the distributions channels 112 comprising the flange 132 may be configured to be less than the full or maximum groove 130 depth of the land 128 of the main flow field channels 120. In exemplary embodiments, distribution channel 112 depths are created to be less than the main flow field channel 120 depths in order to enable the flange 132, the sealing groove 130, and/or a seal 134 to stop or prevent movement of the seal in a direction of the fluid 124, 138 flow.
The flange 132 is a structural feature that independently effects and/or increases the variable groove depth of the groove 130 and land 128 portion of the plate 100 and/or 101. For example, the groove 130, land 128, and/or channel 112, 120 depth comprising the flange 132 is greater than the groove 130, land 128, and/or channel 112, 120 depth without the flange 132. However, in exemplary embodiments, the flange 132 is also configured to couple with a seal 134 to effect, vary, change, and/or reduce the variable groove depth of the groove 130 and land 128 portion of the plate 100 and/or 101.
The seal 134 may be made of any material known in the art to seal or close a manifold, tube, pipe, orifice, and/or compartment. The seal 134 material is any polymer, rubber, epoxy, and/or gel material that may seal a component. In an exemplary embodiment, the seal 134 is made of rubber.
The seal 134 may be comprised of one or more seals 134 in order to provide a partially or completely closed system within the plate 100 and/or 101. For example, the seal 134 may comprise a single seal 134, such as a single seal 134 located on the hydrogen side 106 or the water side 104 of the plate 100 and/or 101. The seal 134 may also be comprised of one or more, more than one, multiple, and/or a plurality of seals, including any number of seals 134 necessary to provide a partially or completely closed system within the plate 100 and/or 101. An exemplary multiple seal 134 embodiment may comprise about two, three, four, five, or more seals located on the water side 104 or the hydrogen side 106 of the plate 100 and/or 101.
Referring back to
As shown in
In an exemplary embodiment shown in
Importantly, the present plate 100 and/or 101 enables the complete and total separation of hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) gases. As noted earlier in the hydrogen-generating electrochemical reactions that take place within an electrolyzer, water is the main reactant. When water is electrochemically split, it produces pure hydrogen (H2) gas, along with oxygen (O2) gas and water vapor as chemical byproducts.
In addition, oxygen (O2) gas exits or exhausts as a byproduct from the anode side 104 and/or the cathode side 104 via the outlets or out ports 108. In an exemplary embodiment, the oxygen (O2) gas is removed from the anode side 104 so as to not allow the oxygen (O2) gas to mix with the hydrogen 138 on the cathode side 106 of the plate 100 and/or 101. The seals 134 and sealing configuration of the plate 100 and/or 101 are critical to provide a pressure boundary across the anode side 104 and the cathode side 106 of the plate 100 and/or 101 in order to prevent the leakage, cross-contamination, and/or mixing of fluids, such as hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) gases, located on the anode side 104 and the cathode side 106. Accordingly, the seals 134 and sealing configuration of the present plate 100 and/or 101 increase the safety and functionality of the electrolyzer plate 100 and/or 101, cell 80, stack 11, 12, and system 10. Moreover, in some embodiments, the seals 134 enable facilitation of flow of both water 124 and hydrogen 138 on either and/or both sides 104, 106 of the plate 100 and/or 101.
The dimensions of the distribution channels 112, the main flow fields 120, the seal(s) 134, the land 128, the groove or sealing groove 130, and/or the flange 132 of the plate 100 and/or 101 may be any size, shape, or dimension necessary to facilitate flow of fluids 124, 138 to and throughout the plate 100 and/or 101 for optimal performance of the cell 80, stack 11, 12, or system 10. For example, the distribution channels 112, the seal(s) 134, the groove 130, the land 128, main flow fields 120, and/or the flange 132 of the plate 100 and/or 101 may be any size necessary to provide flow and distribution of the anode and cathode fluids 124, 138 (e.g., water and hydrogen) throughout the interior active portion 122 of the plate 100 and/or 101. Details of the dimensions and depth of the flow and distribution channels 112, the seal 134, and the flange 132 in plate 100 are shown in
While not limited to any such specific dimensions,
Specifically,
Similar to the lands 128, grooves 130, and flanges 132 of the distribution channels 112, the main flow field channels 120 of the single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly may also comprise structural features to aid and/or facilitate fluid 124, 138 flow. Humps 140 and/or cavities 142 are structural features provided within the formed structure of the main flow fields 120 of the single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly. Humps 140 and/or cavities 142 specifically effect the flow and distribution of fluids 124, 138 through the interior active portion 122 of the plate 100 and/or 101, particularly within the main flow fields 120.
Humps 140 and/or cavities 142 located on one side 104, 106 of the plate 100 and/or 101 are configured to effect, increase, and/or facilitate fluid 124, 138 flow in the main flow fields 120 on the same and/or the opposite side 104, 106 of the plate 100 and/or 101. Specifically, fluid 124, 138 flowing over humps 140 in the main flow fields 120 of a first side 104, 106 of the plate 100 and/or 101 may experience a local increase in speed and/or velocity due to the presence of the one or more humps 140 in those channels 120.
While the speed and/or velocity of the fluid 124, 138 will change throughout its path through the channels 112, 120 of the plate 100 and/or 101, the flow rate of the fluid 124, 138 will not change. An operational flow rate of the fluids 124, 130 within the plate 100 and/or 101 channels 112, 120 is typically automatically, electronically, and/or manually predetermined, such as by an operator, producer, manufacturer, or person, and can be changed throughout operation. There is no limitation on the fluid 124, 138 flow rate as long as other functional plate 100 and/or 101 parameters, such as fluid velocity and pressure drop, remain within operational limits.
Notably, the fluid 124, 128 flow rate is also correlated and/or proportional to (e.g., dependent on) the number of channels 112, 120 on the plate 100 and/or 101 and/or the number of plates 100 and/or 101 in the stack 11, 12. A stack 11, 12 may be any number of plates 100 and/or 101. Illustratively, one stack 11, 12 may have about 10 to about 10,000 plates 100 and/or 101, including any number comprised therein. While any flow rate of fluids 124, 138 may be utilized by the plate 100 and/or 101, an illustrative flow rate of a fluid 124, 138 in the plate 100 and/or 101 may range from about 1 L/min to about 200 L/min per plate, including any flow rate comprised therein.
In addition, fluids 124, 138 flowing over humps 140 in the main flow fields 120 may facilitate cross-flow 126 of fluid 138 flowing in cavities 142 in the main flow fields 120 of a second, opposite side 104, 106 of the plate 100 and/or 101. As shown in
Humps 140 may be provided by any formable feature that facilitates the flow of media (e.g., liquid or gas), water, electrolyte, and/or coolant in any predetermined direction. For example, the shape and/or size of the hump 140 may be any shape or size that facilitates, changes, decreases, and/or increases the speed or velocity of fluid 124, 138 flow (although fluid 124, 138 flow rate remains the same). In particular, the humps 140 may be any shape, including but not limited to squares, rectangles, triangles, ovals, circles, chevrons, dimples, hearts, lines, etc.
The exemplary hump 140 embodiments shown in
In addition to main flow field channels 120 having continuous, linear, and/or straight flow paths (see
In addition, the main flow fields 120 may be structurally provided by truncated, separated, and/or individual lands 128 along the main flow field (see
In the exemplary alternative main flow field channel 120 comprising a crisscross pattern 146 of
Main flow field channels 120 may also flow at any angle, orientation, and/or direction. In some embodiments, the main flow field channels 120 may flow fluids 124, 138 such that the fluids turn corners or flow in various patterns (e.g., zigzag, crisscross, curves, corners, etc.). In further embodiments, the profile, size, dimensions, depths, and/or direction provided by the main flow field channels 120 can also be adopted, mimicked, and/or represented in the distribution channels 112 and the sealing grooves 130 of the plate 100 and/or 101.
The humps 140 are primarily provided to the main flow field channels 120 on the top side 104 of the plate 100 and/or 101 to create the cavities 142 to facilitate and/or enable hydrogen 138 flow. However, fluid 124, 138 flow speed and/or velocity will be increased at the humps 140 throughout the interior active region 122 of the plate 100 and/or 101 to maintain the constant and predetermined flow rate. This increase in the fluid 124, 138 speed and velocity at the humps 140 increased heat transfer in the plate 100 and/or 101 all at the same time, which is advantageous and improves operation of the cell 80, stack 11, 12, or system 10.
The arrows in
Importantly,
Accordingly, this cross-flow configuration 126 of the fluids 124 also aids to improve thermal management of the fluids 124, 138 within the plate 100 and/or 101. The humps 140 and cavities 142 of the main flow fields 120 further contribute to improved thermal management of the fluids 124 by the plate 100 and/or 101. Specifically, the high speed of fluid 124 (e.g., water) flow over the humps 140 promotes convective heat transfer between the fluids 124, 138. The humps 140 also act (e.g., as fins) to elongate the length of the main flow fields 120, which promote more conductive heat transfer. Accordingly, the humps 140 on a first side 104 of the plate 100 and/or 101, and their resulting cavities 142 on the opposite, second side 106 of the plate 100 and/or 101, particularly aid to improve the thermal (heat) management and transfer capability of the electrolyzer plate 100 and/or 101 and the electrolyzer cell 80.
Collectively, the formed structural features of the present single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly, including the distribution channels 112 and the flange 132 and sealing grooves 130, particularly coupled with the seals 134, along with the main flow field channels 120, including the humps 140 and the cavities 142, validate the feasibility and functional utility of the plate 100 and/or 101 for stack assembly, promote operational efficiency and optimal performance, function, life, and durability of an electrolyzer cell 80, stack 11, 12, or system 10. The presently described plate 100 and/or 101 maintains or achieves the desired flow field configurations and sealing requirements necessary for electrolyzer plate 100 and/or 101 forming, manufacturing, and/or operation, while keeping other formability parameters within acceptable threshold limits (e.g., material management, flow pressure drop, erosional and/or local velocity, thermal management, and mechanical plate loading and maintenance of electrochemical plate components).
Additional operational or manufacturing benefits of the present single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly include cost effectiveness (e.g., due to reduced hardware utility), less pressure drop across the membrane or electrolyte 118, and lightweight and/or compact design. Again, the present plate 100 and/or 101 provides improved thermal management and suitability for mass commercial production. Importantly, the plate 100 and/or 101 provides an open, partially sealed, or fully sealed and/or closed system with closed reactants, and an ability to operate at higher power or current density (e.g., such as from about 5 Amp/cm2 to about 20 Amp/cm2, including any current density comprised therein).
The present disclosure is also directed to an electrolyzer cell stack 11, 12 comprising one or more embodiments of the single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly described herein. More specifically, the electrolyzer cell stack assembly 11, 12 may comprise one or more, two or more single sheet bipolar plates 100 and/or 101 for stack assembly having one, two, or more distinct, different, and/or complementary plate designs, patterns, or configurations. For example, referring to
Specifically,
As shown in
Referring again to
In this illustrative embodiment, the main flow fields 120 of the Type A 111 plate 100 and/or 101 are formed to alternate or be offset (by about ½ to about 1 channel width) with the main flow fields 120 of the Type B 113 plate configuration when placed in a stack 11, 12. Therefore the positioning or placement of the main flow fields 120 of the Type A 111 and B plates 113, comprising a plurality of humps 140, are stacked in a complementary, offset, and/or alternating orientation to provide a damage (e.g., bending or fracturing) resistant stack 11, 12.
As described, stacking plates 100 and/or 101 having the same or different formed structure or forming configurations may provide different plate assembly configurations in an operational stack 11, 12. Specifically, plates 100 and/or 101 may be designed to have two, three, four, five, or more different formed structure or forming configurations. In exemplary embodiments shown in
Specifically, a parallel groove forming may be employed to achieve an outer seal on the top side 104, the bottom side 106, or both sides 104, 106 of the plate 100 and/or 101. Different parallel groove forming configurations on the outer sealing area 144 of Plate A 111 and Plate B 113 may be employed to promote and/or support seal-to-seal alignment and/or seal-to-plate (e.g., seal-to-metal) compression between plates 100 and/or 101, such as Plate A 111 and Plate B 113, in a stack 11, 12. Such making, stacking, and/or sealing promotes seal 134, 144 flexibility and feasibility on the single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly.
An outer seal 144 may be applied to the outer periphery of the plate 100 and/or 101 or sheet 102, which constitutes an outer sealing area 144. The outer seal 144 also provides necessary or required mechanical support and/or resistance against any mechanical load on the outer periphery of the plate 100 and/or 101. Accordingly, the outer seal 144 contributes to the structural integrity and preservation of the plate 100 and/or 101.
For example,
In exemplary plate embodiments having different seal configurations, the water side 104 of Plate A 111 shown in
In contrast, the water side 104 of Plate B 113 shown in
Each of the stack assembly 11, 12 embodiments described and shown in
Specifically, the complementary, offset, and/or alternating design of the distribution channels 112 and/or the main flow field channels 120 of Types A and B and Plates A and B prevent the plates 100 and/or 101, and specifically the lands 128 or channels 112, 120, from bending or collapsing into one another when stacked. Therefore, this complementary, offset, and/or alternating plate stack 11, 12 configuration having plates 100 and/or 101 with different and/or complementary design features and configurations (e.g., seals, distribution channels, and/or main flow fields), such as Plate A 111 and Plate B 113, provides improved structural integrity of the electrolyzer stack 11, 12 that is maintained and/or preserved. The seal-to-seal alignment on the outer sealing area in the periphery of the plate 100 and/or 101 (e.g., the outer sealing area of the plate 100 and/or 101) or sheet 102 further contributes to the mechanical strength provided by at least two complementary plate 100 and/or 101 configurations.
The structural and temperature integrity of the plate 101 was evaluated as shown in
Further, the impact of various forming features were also analyzed with respect to an acceptance criteria of the soft membranes and overall stack performance and the optimum plate 101 features were selected based on those parameters.
The plate thickness 188 of the plate 100 and/or 101 may range form about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm, including any width or range of width comprised therein (see
The present disclosure is also related to a method of making, forming, and/or manufacturing the formed structure of the single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly described herein. A formed structure of the single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly is the structure that is provided directly from the forming or form-making process (as described further below) with no further mechanical forming manipulations. An exemplary forming process of the present disclosure forms the formed structure of the single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly in a single forming process (e.g., that may have multiple stages) or multiple forming processes.
While any method of machine, material, and/or metal forming may be utilized to produce the formed structure of the present plate 100 and/or 101, a method of making, forming, and/or manufacturing the present plate 100 and/or 101 may include any stamping, printing, and/or forming method capable of taking a single sheet of formable material 102 (e.g. a metal) and creating or producing a two-sided, bipolar formed structure able to house and/or accommodate the anode 114 and cathode 116 fluid 124, 138 flow required for an electrochemical reaction, such as electrolysis. For example, a forming method to create the formed structure of the present plate 100 and/or 101 may include stamping, hydroforming, natural forming, parallel groove forming, rubber forming, roll forming, 3D printing, or progressive forming. The forming process of the present plate 100 and/or 101 may include any additive (e.g. 3D printing) or subtractive (e.g. chemical etching) manufacturing techniques.
An embodiment of the design, making, forming, and/or manufacturing method of the formed structure of the present single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly also considers the formability of the formable material 102 utilized. In particular, the number of structural features that may be formed into the single sheet of formable material 102 to produce the plate 100 and/or 101 must be considered. Specifically, the ratio of land (i.e., area of a side 104, 106 of the single sheet of material 102) to the grooves 130 (i.e., structural features comprising the channels 112, 120, the flange 132, the humps 140, the cavities 142, etc.) necessary to provide the requisite reactant channels 112, 120 as described herein while still maintaining mechanical support must be considered.
Accordingly, as shown in
The proper land:groove ratio of any formable material 102 must be specifically considered in the current methods of designing, making, forming, and/or manufacturing the present single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly. For example, titanium is a metal often used for making and/or manufacturing bipolar plates 100 and/or 101 for electrochemical cells that has an optimum depth of about 2 mm. An embodiment of formable material 102 used for designing, making, forming, and/or manufacturing the plate 100 and/or 101 could have any land:groove ratio, such as one that is about 1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2, 1:5, 1:10, etc. Notably, a radius and a curvature may be provided in the present methods to make, form, and/or manufacture the plate 100 and/or 101 in order to address the requirement for flow and seal management, better mechanical support, and form feasibility addressed with the land:groove ratio consideration of plate 100 and/or 101 formation.
The present method of designing, making, forming, and/or manufacturing the present single sheet bipolar plate 100 and/or 101 for stack 11, 12 assembly also comprises adding or applying seals 134, 144 to the formed structure or sealing the formed structure of the plate 100 and/or 101. In one embodiment, sealing the formed structure of the plate 100 and/or 101 is conducted after the structure has been formably created and/or produced by the forming and/or making process described above. In an exemplary embodiment, sealing comprises applying seals 134, 144 to the flange 132, groove 130, land 128, channels 112, 120, sides 104, 106, and/or any other structural component or feature of the plate 100 and/or 101.
Subsequent to the completion of the forming of the formed structure of the plate 100 and/or 101, sealing the plate 100 and/or 101 includes mechanically, robotically, and/or manually adding, applying, placing, and/or positioning onto any and/or all regions of the plate 100 and/or 101 as necessary to achieve fluid 124, 138 flow. In an alternative embodiment, seals may be added or applied to the formed structure of the plate 100 and/or 101 before the formed structure is completed (e.g., while or as the formed structure is being formed).
For example, sealing may comprise applying seal 134, 144 in any sealing configuration, position, and/or location necessary to achieve operational fluid 124, 138 for the plate 100 and/or 101. Specifically, seals 134, 144 and/or specific sealing configurations and/or designs may be configured into the plate 100 and/or 101 design or structure in order to enable and/or improve fluid 124, 138 flow. Importantly and additionally, seals 134, 144 are utilized in the present system and methods to provide a closed system that may include multiple flow fields and/or channels 112, 120 of varying depths.
While varying depths or a variable groove 130 depth may comprise different depths in different channels 112, 120, as referred to herein, the phrase “variable groove depth” refers to the capability of the present plate 100 and/or 101 to utilize two sides of a single sheet of material to provide a number of closed and separate flow fields or channels 112, 120 that have varying or different depths along their continuous flow paths (e.g., from the inlets our in ports 108 to the outlets our out ports 110. In the exemplary embodiment, the variable groove depth is enabled by the plate 100 and/or 101 configuration (e.g., the flange 132) coupled with the seal 134, 144.
For example and as previously described, inner seals 134 may be added to the flange 132 region of the groove 130 or land 128 in order to close and/or seal that region and further effect or change the amount or direction of fluid 124, 138 flow. Similarly, outer seals 144 may be added to the periphery of the plate 100 and/or 101 to enable seal-to-seal and/or plate-to-plate contact and/or alignment when multiple plates 100 and/or 101 are comprised in a stack 11, 12 assembly.
The above embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice what is claimed and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. The detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated.
Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the presently described subject matter are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Specified numerical ranges of units, measurements, and/or values include, consist essentially or, or consist of all the numerical values, units, measurements, and/or ranges including or within those ranges and/or endpoints, whether those numerical values, units, measurements, and/or ranges are explicitly specified in the present disclosure or not.
Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and the like, as used herein do not denote any order or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The term “or” and “and/or” is meant to be inclusive and mean either or all of the listed items. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings, and can include electrical connections or couplings, whether direct or indirect.
Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising,” “including,” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property. The term “comprising” or “comprises” refers to a composition, compound, formulation, or method that is inclusive and does not exclude additional elements, components, and/or method steps. The term “comprising” also refers to a composition, compound, formulation, or method embodiment of the present disclosure that is inclusive and does not exclude additional elements, components, or method steps. The phrase “consisting of” or “consists of” refers to a compound, composition, formulation, or method that excludes the presence of any additional elements, components, or method steps.
The term “consisting of” also refers to a compound, composition, formulation, or method of the present disclosure that excludes the presence of any additional elements, components, or method steps. The phrase “consisting essentially of” or “consists essentially of” refers to a composition, compound, formulation, or method that is inclusive of additional elements, components, or method steps that do not materially affect the characteristic(s) of the composition, compound, formulation, or method. The phrase “consisting essentially of” also refers to a composition, compound, formulation, or method of the present disclosure that is inclusive of additional elements, components, or method steps that do not materially affect the characteristic(s) of the composition, compound, formulation, or method steps.
Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about,” and “substantially” is not to be limited to the precise value specified. In some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise.
As used herein, the terms “may” and “may be” indicate a possibility of an occurrence within a set of circumstances; a possession of a specified property, characteristic or function; and/or qualify another verb by expressing one or more of an ability, capability, or possibility associated with the qualified verb. Accordingly, usage of “may” and “may be” indicates that a modified term is apparently appropriate, capable, or suitable for an indicated capacity, function, or usage, while taking into account that in some circumstances, the modified term may sometimes not be appropriate, capable, or suitable.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used individually, together, or in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the subject matter set forth herein without departing from its scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the disclosed subject matter, they are by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the subject matter described herein should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
This written description uses examples to disclose several embodiments of the subject matter set forth herein, including the best mode, and also to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the embodiments of disclosed subject matter, including making and using the devices or systems and performing the methods. The patentable scope of the subject matter described herein is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63328124 | Apr 2022 | US |
