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CN-114068989-B - Fuel cell and fuel cell system for an aircraft

CN114068989BCN 114068989 BCN114068989 BCN 114068989BCN-114068989-B

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fuel cell and a fuel cell system for an aircraft. In order to provide higher power density, a fuel cell (66) is proposed. The fuel cell (66) may be made by ceramic 3D printing and has an increased power density due to its spiral shape. In order to obtain better energy generation by means of the fuel cell (66), an interconnection plate (68) is proposed, which can be positively fastened to a fastening projection (82) of the fuel cell (66) by means of a fastening hole (80). Furthermore, the interconnect board (68) may be fixed by means of glass solder.

Inventors

  • Christian Zimmerman
  • Frank Helmler
  • Stefan Friedel

Assignees

  • 空中客车防卫及太空有限公司

Dates

Publication Date
20260512
Application Date
20210723
Priority Date
20200729

Claims (15)

  1. 1. A fuel cell (10,30,54,66) for a fuel cell system, wherein the fuel cell (10,30,54,66) has a first fuel cell region (12, 34) arranged along a construction axis (22, 42) with a first gas channel (18, 38) for fuel and a second fuel cell region (14, 36) arranged along a construction axis (22, 42) with a second gas channel (20, 40) for oxidant, wherein the gas channels (18, 20,38, 40) are designed to extend in a circumferential direction around the construction axis (22, 42), wherein each gas channel (18,20,38,40) has at least one gas inlet region (48) and at least one gas outlet region (50), each arranged such that, when arranged/formed with a further fuel cell region (12,14,34,36) offset along the construction axis (22, 42), the gas outlet region (50) is aligned with the gas inlet region (48) of the further fuel cell region (12,14,34,36) and/or the fuel cell(s) (10,30,54,66, or the fuel cells (10,30,54,66, 58) are designed to be connected to the respective gas outlet region (18,20,38,40) for oxidant, or the distribution conduit (62, 56) is or is designed to be depleted in respect to the respective gas channel (62, 57) from the respective gas inlet region or conduit (42), the distribution pipe (56, 58) is at least partially surrounded by each gas channel (18,20,38,40), wherein the fuel cell (10,30,54,66) comprises a plurality of subsections (64), and fuel or oxidant can be supplied in parallel to the gas channels (18,20,38,40) in the respective subsections (64) through the distribution pipe (56, 58).
  2. 2. The fuel cell (10,30,54,66) of claim 1, wherein the fuel cell (10,30,54,66) is a fuel cell of a fuel cell system of an aircraft.
  3. 3. The fuel cell (10,30,54,66) according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell (10,30,54,66) is a solid oxide fuel cell.
  4. 4. The fuel cell (10,30,54,66) of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first and second fuel cell regions (12,14,34,36) are arranged along the build axis (22, 42) such that first gas passages (18, 38) of the plurality of first fuel cell regions (12, 34) are fluidly connected and second gas passages (20, 40) of the plurality of second fuel cell regions (14, 36) are fluidly connected.
  5. 5. Fuel cell (10,30,54,66) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an ion-conducting separator layer (24) is arranged on one of the gas channels (18,20,38,40) or between the gas channels (18,20,38,40) to connect the gas channels (18,20,38,40) to each other ion-conductively.
  6. 6. The fuel cell (10,30,54,66) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gas channel (18,20,38,40), viewed in its direction of extension, encloses an angle (a) with a plane orthogonal to the construction axis (22, 42).
  7. 7. The fuel cell (10,30,54,66) according to claim 6, wherein the angle is an angle between 30 ° and 60 °.
  8. 8. The fuel cell (10,30,54,66) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gas channel (18,20,38,40) constitutes a double helix.
  9. 9. The fuel cell (10,30,54,66) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each gas channel (18,20,38,40) has a gas channel curvature region (44) and a gas channel flattening region (46) connected thereto, wherein a gas inlet region (48) and/or a gas outlet region (50) are arranged on the gas channel flattening region (46).
  10. 10. The fuel cell (10,30,54,66) according to claim 9, wherein the gas entry region (48) and/or the gas exit region (50) are arranged in the middle of the gas passage flat region (46).
  11. 11. The fuel cell (10,30,54,66) according to claim 9, wherein each distribution pipe (56, 58) is arranged within an area enclosed by the gas passage curved region (44) and the gas passage flat region (46).
  12. 12. The fuel cell (10,30,54,66) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each gas channel (18,20,38,40) contains an electrically conductive electrode coating (28, 52) for generating electrical energy.
  13. 13. The fuel cell (10,30,54,66) according to claim 12, wherein the fuel cell (10,30,54,66) has a plurality of interconnect plates (68) designed for taking the electrical energy, wherein the interconnect plates (68) are embedded in the electrode coating (28, 52).
  14. 14. A fuel cell system for an aircraft, comprising a plurality of fuel cells according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the fuel cells are arranged at a distance from one another in a plane and/or are arranged in a stack along their construction axis.
  15. 15. An aircraft comprising a fuel cell (10,30,54,66) according to one of claims 1 to 13 and/or a fuel cell system according to claim 14.

Description

Fuel cell and fuel cell system for an aircraft Technical Field The present invention relates to a fuel cell. The invention also relates to a fuel cell system for an aircraft and an aircraft. Background Alternative driving concepts and energy sources are becoming more and more important not only in private traffic, but also in aviation. One concept is electric drive, or in general, the generation of electrical energy in an aircraft. The key from an aerospace point of view is high power density, ease of maintenance and high scalability. A candidate for providing the required energy is a fuel cell, in particular a solid oxide fuel cell. Disclosure of Invention The object of the present invention is to improve a fuel cell for use in aviation. The invention provides a fuel cell, preferably a solid oxide fuel cell, for a fuel cell system, preferably an aircraft, wherein the fuel cell has a plurality of fuel cell regions arranged along a construction axis, wherein each fuel cell region has a gas channel which is designed to extend in a circumferential direction about the construction axis. Preferably, a first fuel cell region having a first gas channel for fuel and a second fuel cell region having a second gas channel for oxidant are arranged. Preferably, these fuel cell regions are integrally formed as a single, unitary element. Preferably, these fuel cell regions have a generally hexagonal shape in plan view. Preferably, the plurality of first and second fuel cell regions are alternately arranged along the build axis such that the first and second gas channels are fluidly connected. Preferably, each gas channel has at least one gas entry region and at least one gas exit region, each arranged such that when a further fuel cell region offset along the construction axis is arranged/formed, the gas exit region is aligned and/or fluidly connected with the gas entry region of the further fuel cell region. Preferably, the gas inlet region and/or the gas outlet region are arranged at opposite ends of the gas channel. Preferably, ion-conducting separation layers are arranged on or between one of the gas channels, so that the gas channels are ion-conductively connected to one another. Preferably, the fuel cell comprises at least one distribution pipe designed for supplying fuel and/or oxidant to the respective gas channels or for discharging reaction products or unconsumed gases from the respective gas channels, wherein the distribution pipe is at least partially surrounded by each gas channel, as seen along the construction axis. Preferably, the fuel cell comprises a plurality of subsections, wherein the gas channels can be supplied with fuel and oxidant in parallel in the respective subsections. Preferably, the gas channels enclose an angle, preferably an angle between 30 ° and 60 °, with a plane orthogonal to the construction axis, seen in the direction of extension thereof. Preferably, these gas passages constitute a double helix. Preferably, each gas passage has a gas passage curved region and a gas passage flat region connected thereto. Preferably, the gas passage curved region is curved by 120 ° or 180 °. Preferably, the gas inlet region and/or the gas outlet region are arranged on the gas channel flat region, preferably in the middle of the gas channel flat region. Preferably, each gas channel has a gas supply region connected to a respective distribution pipe. Preferably, each distribution pipe is arranged in an area surrounded by the curved area of the gas passage and the gentle area of the gas passage. Preferably, the fuel cell has a plurality of interconnect plates that are designed to harvest electrical energy. Preferably, each gas channel contains a conductive electrode coating for the generation of electrical energy. Preferably, each interconnection plate has at least one contact spring that protrudes into the corresponding first gas channel or second gas channel. Preferably, the gas channel comprises at least one aperture for a contact spring. Preferably, the plurality of contact springs are arranged in a comb-like manner. Preferably, each interconnect board includes only a single contact spring. Preferably, each of the interconnection plates has an electrical connection region connected to the contact spring. Preferably, the connection region is designed such that it faces radially outwards in the mounted state of the interconnect board, so that it can be engaged by the conductive element. Preferably, each interconnect plate has a clamping region extending substantially parallel to the contact springs and at a distance therefrom for holding the interconnect plate on the fuel cell. Preferably, the interconnect board is embedded in the electrode coating. Preferably, the interconnect plate has a similar coefficient of expansion to the gas channels into which it extends to prevent delamination of the interconnect plate. Preferably, the interconnection plates comprise connection areas for the extraction of ele