Abstract:
A mixing device for a fuel reformer for mixing at least two fluids is provided. The mixing device includes at least a first plurality of holes which is arranged along a first row, and a second plurality of holes which is arranged along a second row. The mixing device can be used in a fuel reformer for converting hydrocarbon fuel into hydrogen rich gas by auto-thermal reaction process having a, preferably cylindrically shaped and double walled, housing with two side walls forming a reaction chamber of the fuel reformer, wherein hydrocarbon fuel and an oxidizing agent are mixed by the mixing device.
Abstract:
A bipolar plate assembly for a fuel cell or a fuel cell stack has at least a first flow field plate and a second flow field plate, wherein the first flow field plate and the second flow field plate are fastened on top of each other, wherein the bipolar plate assembly has a first area, in which an edge of the first flow field plate is flush with an edge of the second flow field plate, and has at least one second area, in which the edge of the first flow field plate is recessed from the edge of the second flow field plate. A fuel cell stack having such a bipolar plate assembly, as well as methods for manufacturing such a bipolar plate assembly or such a fuel cell stack are also provided.
Abstract:
Fuel cell stack housing including at least a bottom section and a first and a second side wall, which are spaced apart by the bottom section, wherein the housing is adapted to house a fuel cell stack and includes at least one fastening element, which is engaged with the first and the second side wall, wherein at least the first side wall of the housing has a flat section and an arched section extending in direction of the second side wall, and wherein a maximum possible distance between the arched section and the bottom portion defines an inner height of the fuel cell stack housing, where in the inner height of the fuel cell stack housing is adjustable, as well as a fuel cell stack assembly including a fuel cell stack encased by such a housing.
Abstract:
An electric connector for fuel cell stack voltage monitoring includes at least two separate units, each unit including a plurality of pins, each pin being adapted to contact a plate of the fuel cell stack for monitoring a fuel cell stack voltage. The first pin of each unit is adapted to provide a measurement of a reference voltage.
Abstract:
A catalytic burner arrangement including at least a catalytic burner unit with a housing having a reaction chamber in which a catalyst is arranged is provided wherein the catalyst is adapted to react a fuel, particularly a hydrogen containing fluid, with an oxidant, particularly air, for producing heat, the housing having a fluid inlet for supplying a fluid stream into the housing and a fluid outlet for exiting a fluid stream from the housing, and the catalytic burner arrangement further includes a mixing unit forming a mixing chamber in which fuel and oxidant are mixed, wherein the mixing device includes a fuel inlet, an oxidant inlet and an fuel-oxidant-mixture outlet, and wherein the fluid inlet of the catalytic burner unit merges with the fuel-oxidant-outlet of the mixing unit for transferring the fuel-oxidant-mixture from the mixing chamber to the reaction chamber of the catalytic burner unit wherein the fuel inlet of the mixing chamber is arranged upstream of the oxidant inlet of the mixing unit.
Abstract:
A bipolar plate assembly for a fuel cell or a fuel cell stack has at least a first flow field plate and a second flow field plate, wherein the first flow field plate and the second flow field plate are fastened on top of each other, wherein the bipolar plate assembly has a first area, in which an edge of the first flow field plate is flush with an edge of the second flow field plate, and has at least one second area, in which the edge of the first flow field plate is recessed from the edge of the second flow field plate. A fuel cell stack having such a bipolar plate assembly, as well as methods for manufacturing such a bipolar plate assembly or such a fuel cell stack are also provided.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for fastening an electrical connector assembly to a fuel cell stack arrangement with at least one fuel cell unit comprising at least one bipolar plate and at least one membrane electrode assembly, wherein the electric connector assembly comprises at least a support structure and at least one contact pin, which is adapted to electrically contacting the bipolar plate and is supported by the support structure, wherein the support structure comprises at least a rear face which is adapted to face the fuel cell stack, a front face being opposite to the rear face, and first and second side faces, wherein the rear face comprises at least one bipolar plate housing slit which extends from the first side face to the second side face, and which is adapted to accommodate at least partly the bipolar plate, thereby defining a comb-shaped support structure with at least two teeth extend from a support basis, which are separated by the intermediately arranged bipolar plate housing slit, and wherein the support structure further comprises at least one contact pin accommodation opening having a size which is adapted to accommodate the contact pin, the method comprising the following steps:Arranging in each bipolar plate housing slit of the support structure at least partly a single bipolar plate; andPressing a contact pin into each contact pin accommodation openings, so that the contact pin protrudes into the slit and contacts the bipolar plate, thereby deforming the bipolar plate and fastening the bipolar plate in the bipolar plate housing slit and to the support structure.
Abstract:
A reformer reactor is provided for converting hydrocarbon fuel into hydrogen rich gas by auto-thermal reaction process having a cylindrically shaped and double walled, housing with two side faces forming a. reaction chamber of the reformer. Additionally, a fuel inlet is provided in one of the to side faces for providing hydrocarbon fuels into the reaction chamber, wherein further a fuel preheating means is provided which preheats the hydrocarbon fuel before the hydrocarbon fuel enters the reaction chamber.
Abstract:
A manufacturing arrangement for a fuel cell stack includes at least a first alignment station having a first alignment structure for receiving a bipolar plate and a second alignment structure for arranging a membrane electrode assembly at one side of the bipolar plate, preferably on top of the bipolar plate, in a predefined orientation for aligning the bipolar plate and the membrane electrode assembly, whereby a pre-assembled fuel cell unit is provided; a fastening station for fastening the membrane electrode assembly to the bipolar plate, whereby an assembled fuel cell unit is provided; and a second alignment station having at least one third alignment structure for aligning the assembled fuel cell units for providing a fuel cell stack, as well as a method for manufacturing a fuel cell stack, and a fuel cell stack having been manufactured by such an arrangement and/or method.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of attaching a gasket (4) to a bipolar plate (12). The method comprises the steps of applying and aligning a first gasket foil (4a) to a second gasket foil (4b) having connection recesses (8), connecting the first gasket foil (4a) to the second gasket foil (4b), so that the gasket (4) is formed, placing the gasket (4) on the bipolar plate (12) so that the second gasket film (4b) with the bonding recesses (8) abuts the bipolar plate (12) and performing an embossing step in which an embossing force is applied with an embossing tool (20) in the region of the connecting recesses (8) so that an embossed adhesive point (24) is formed and the first gasket foil (4a) is bonded to the bipolar plate (12) via an adhesive means (16) arranged in the connecting recess (8) on the first gasket foil (4a).