JP7560972B2 - Fuel Cell Assembly - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a fuel cell assembly.

A fuel cell is a device that generates electricity and water through an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas containing hydrogen introduced to the fuel electrode and an oxidizer gas containing oxygen introduced to the oxidizer electrode.

A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a stack of multiple fuel cells and multiple separators stacked alternately. The fuel cell has a fuel electrode and an oxidizer electrode on either side of a proton-conductive polymer electrolyte membrane. The separators separate the fuel cells and form flow paths for reactant gases and cooling water that cools the fuel cells. The stack and a manifold arranged around the stack form a fuel cell stack.

The fuel gas and oxidant gas are each supplied to the stack through a gas manifold in the fuel cell stack. The fuel gas and oxidant gas discharged from the stack are discharged from the fuel cell stack through the gas manifold. Cooling water is supplied to the stack through a cooling water manifold in the fuel cell stack. The cooling water discharged from the stack is discharged from the fuel cell stack through the cooling water manifold.

JP 2015-210984 A

However, after operation, drain water and cooling water remain inside such fuel cells. If the fuel cell is stored in this state for a long period of time, the water remaining in the fuel cell may freeze and expand due to a drop in outside temperature, which may damage the fuel cell. In addition, impurities may dissolve into the water remaining in the fuel cell, degrading the water quality and reducing the performance of the fuel cell.

The present invention was made with these points in mind, and aims to provide a fuel cell assembly that can efficiently remove water remaining in the fuel cell.

The fuel cell assembly according to this embodiment includes a fuel cell stack including a stack of multiple fuel cells and a manifold that contains gas or cooling water supplied to the stack or gas or cooling water discharged from the stack, and a stand that supports the fuel cell stack. The stand supports the fuel cell stack with the manifold tilted relative to the installation surface of the fuel cell assembly. A hole that leads to the outside of the manifold is formed in the area of the manifold that is closest to the installation surface.

The present invention makes it easy to remove water remaining in the fuel cell stack.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a fuel cell assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram showing an end face of the fuel cell assembly shown in FIG. 1 on the side of the first fastening plate. 3 is a side view of the fuel cell assembly shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the first manifold side. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of a fuel cell stack. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a stand for the fuel cell assembly shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a modification of the fuel cell assembly according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 corresponds to FIG. 5 and is a perspective view showing a stand for the fuel cell assembly shown in FIG. FIG. 8 corresponds to FIG. 1 and is a perspective view showing a fuel cell assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2, showing an end face of the fuel cell assembly shown in FIG. 8 on the side of the first fastening plate. FIG. 10 corresponds to FIG. 3 and is a side view showing the fuel cell assembly shown in FIG. 8 from the first manifold side. FIG. 11 corresponds to FIG. 5 and is a perspective view showing a stand for the fuel cell assembly shown in FIG. FIG. 12A is a view corresponding to FIG. 8 and showing a modified example of the fuel cell assembly according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12B is a view corresponding to FIG. 10, showing the fuel cell assembly shown in FIG. 12A. FIG. 13 corresponds to FIG. 11 and is a perspective view showing a stand for the fuel cell assembly shown in FIG. 12A. FIG. 14 is a view corresponding to FIG. 8, showing another modified example of the fuel cell assembly according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 corresponds to FIG. 11 and is a perspective view showing a stand for the fuel cell assembly shown in FIG. FIG. 16 corresponds to FIGS. 13 and 15 and is a diagram for explaining still another modified example of the fuel cell assembly according to the second embodiment. FIG. 17 corresponds to FIG. 8 and is a perspective view showing a fuel cell assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a view showing the fuel cell assembly shown in FIG. 17 from the side of the second manifold 15, showing the movable part disposed in the first position. FIG. 19 is a view corresponding to FIG. 18, showing the movable part disposed in the second position. FIG. 20 corresponds to FIG. 17 and shows a modified example of the fuel cell assembly according to the second embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The fuel cell assembly described below is designed to efficiently remove water from within the fuel cell stack during storage or maintenance inspection of the fuel cell stack.

First Embodiment
A fuel cell assembly according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a fuel cell assembly 1 according to the first embodiment. Figures 2 and 3 are side views of the fuel cell assembly 1 shown in Figure 1 as seen from -D3 and -D2 directions, respectively, which will be described later. For simplicity of illustration, pipes 14b, 15b, 16b, 16d, 17b, and 17d, which will be described later, are omitted in Figure 3. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the fuel cell assembly 1 includes a fuel cell stack 10 and a stand 20 that supports the fuel cell stack 10.

The configuration of the fuel cell stack 10 will be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of the fuel cell stack 10. The fuel cell stack 10 shown in Figure 4 has a laminate 11, first and second current collecting plates 12a, 13a, first and second insulating plates 12b, 13b, first and second fastening plates 12c, 13c, and first to fourth manifolds 14 to 17.

The stack 11 is formed by alternately stacking multiple fuel cell units and multiple separators. Figure 4 shows an X direction parallel to the stacking direction of the stack 11, a Y direction perpendicular to the X direction, and a Z direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions. When the fuel cell stack 10 of this embodiment is installed on a horizontal plane, the Z direction is parallel to the direction of gravity.

Each fuel cell has a generally flat plate shape and includes a polymer electrolyte membrane, a fuel electrode provided on one side of the polymer electrolyte membrane, and an oxidizer electrode provided on the other side of the polymer electrolyte membrane. Each separator has a generally flat plate shape and is made of a porous material. Examples of separators include gas separators that form flow paths for reactant gases and cooling water separators that form flow paths for cooling water. The fuel cell stack 10 in FIG. 4 is installed so that the normal direction, long sides, and short sides of each fuel cell and each separator are parallel to the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, respectively.

In the illustrated example, the first current collector 12a is provided on the side of the stack 11 facing the -X direction. The second current collector 13a is provided on the side of the stack 11 facing the +X direction. The power generated by the fuel cell is taken out via current terminals (not shown) installed on the first and second current collectors 12a and 13a.

The first insulating plate 12b is provided on the side plate of the first current collector plate 12a in the -X direction. The second insulating plate 13b is provided on the side surface of the second current collector plate 13a in the +X direction. The first insulating plate 12b is provided to electrically insulate the first current collector plate 12a from the first clamping plate 12c. The second insulating plate 13b is provided to electrically insulate the second current collector plate 13a from the second clamping plate 13c.

The first clamping plate 12c is provided on the -X side of the first insulating plate 12b. The second clamping plate 13c is provided on the +X side of the second insulating plate 13b. Therefore, the first clamping plate 12c faces the -X side of the laminate 11 via the first current collector plate 12a and the first insulating plate 12b. The second clamping plate 13c faces the +X side of the laminate 11 via the second current collector plate 13a and the second insulating plate 13b. The laminate 11 is clamped by applying a load parallel to the stacking direction of the laminate 11 using the first clamping plate 12c and the second clamping plate 13c.

The first manifold 14 is provided on the -Y side of the stack 11. The first manifold 14 has a fuel gas inlet manifold 14a for temporarily storing fuel gas, and a fuel gas inlet pipe 14b connected to the fuel gas inlet manifold 14a.

The second manifold 15 is provided on the +Y side of the stack 11. The second manifold 15 has a fuel gas outlet manifold 15a for temporarily storing fuel gas, and a fuel gas outlet pipe 15b connected to the fuel gas outlet manifold 15a.

The third manifold 16 is provided on the side (top) of the laminate 11 in the +Z direction. The third manifold 16 has an air inlet manifold 16a for temporarily storing air, an air inlet pipe 16b connected to the air inlet manifold 16a, a cooling water outlet manifold 16c for temporarily storing cooling water, and a cooling water outlet pipe 16d connected to the cooling water outlet manifold 16c.

The fourth manifold 17 is provided on the side (bottom) of the laminate 11 in the -Z direction. The fourth manifold 17 has an air outlet manifold 17a for temporarily storing air, an air outlet pipe 17b connected to the air outlet manifold 17a, a cooling water inlet manifold 17c for temporarily storing cooling water, and a cooling water inlet pipe 17d connected to the cooling water inlet manifold 17c.

Each manifold 14a, 15a, 16a, 16c, 17a, 17c is roughly cubic, and its bottom surface 14ab, 15ab, 16ab, 16cb, 17ab, 17cb extends within a plane defined by the X direction and the Y direction.

The fuel gas is supplied to the fuel cell from the fuel gas inlet pipe 14b via the fuel gas inlet manifold 14a. Meanwhile, the air is supplied to the fuel cell from the air inlet pipe 16b via the air inlet manifold 16a. Then, the hydrogen in the fuel gas and the oxygen in the air react in the fuel cell to generate electricity and water. The fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell is discharged to the fuel gas outlet pipe 15b via the fuel gas outlet manifold 15a. Meanwhile, the air supplied to the fuel cell is discharged to the air outlet pipe 17b via the air outlet manifold 17a. Note that in this embodiment, an oxidant gas other than air may be used.

The cooling water is supplied to the fuel cell from the cooling water inlet pipe 17d via the cooling water inlet manifold 17c and is used to cool the fuel cell. The cooling water supplied to the fuel cell is discharged to the cooling water outlet pipe 16d via the cooling water outlet manifold 16c.

When the fuel cell is operated, cooling water circulates in the fuel cell stack 10. In addition, drain water is generated by electrode reactions and the like. If the fuel cell stack 10 is stored for a long period of time with such water remaining in the fuel cell stack 10 after the fuel cell is operated, the water remaining in the fuel cell stack 10 may freeze and expand due to a drop in outside air temperature, which may damage the fuel cell stack 10. In addition, impurities may dissolve in the water remaining in the fuel cell stack 10, deteriorating the water quality and reducing the performance of the fuel cell. For this reason, in the fuel cell stack 10 of this embodiment, drainage holes are formed in the manifolds where such water is likely to remain. In the illustrated example, drainage holes 17ah and 17ch are formed in the air outlet manifold 17a and the cooling water inlet manifold 17c, respectively. More specifically, holes 17ah and 17ch that lead to the outside of the manifolds 17a and 17c are formed in the end regions in the -Y direction of the bottom surfaces 17ab and 17cb of the manifolds 17a and 17c, respectively. Water that accumulates in the manifolds 17a and 17c can be discharged through the holes 17ah and 17ch.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel cell assembly 1 further includes plugs 18a and 18c that close the holes 17ah and 17ch. When the fuel cell is in operation, the holes 17ah and 17ch can be closed with the plugs 18a and 18c.

Next, the stand 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the stand 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the stand 20 has a bottom surface 21 and a first support surface 22 and a second support surface 23 that support the fuel cell stack 10. FIG. 5 and FIGS. 1 to 3 show a D1 direction perpendicular to the bottom surface 21, a D2 direction perpendicular to the D1 direction, and a D3 direction perpendicular to the D1 and D2 directions.

The bottom surface 21 is a surface that is placed facing the installation surface S when the fuel cell assembly 1 is installed on the installation surface S. The bottom surface 21 extends within a plane defined by the D2 direction and the D3 direction. In addition, the bottom surface 21 extends within a plane parallel to the installation surface S when the stand 20 is installed on the installation surface S.

The first support surface 22 is a surface that supports the fuel cell stack 10 from below. The first support surface 22 is inclined with respect to the bottom surface 21. In the illustrated example, the first support surface 22 is inclined with respect to the D1 direction and the D2 direction. More specifically, the first support surface 22 is inclined with respect to the bottom surface 21 so as to approach the -D1 direction as it approaches the -D2 direction. Note that in the example shown in Figures 1 to 5, as can be understood from Figure 3, the first support surface 22 is parallel to the D3 direction.

The second support surface 23 is a surface that supports the fuel cell stack 10 from the side. The second support surface 23 is connected to the edge of the first support surface 22 in the -D2 direction (the edge closest to the bottom surface 21) to prevent the fuel cell stack 10 placed on the first support surface 22 from slipping off the first support surface 22. In the illustrated example, the second support surface 23 is inclined with respect to the bottom surface 21 so that it approaches the +D1 direction as it approaches the -D2 direction.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the fuel cell assembly 1, the fuel cell stack 10 is disposed on the first support surface 22 of the stand 20. More specifically, the fuel cell stack 10 is disposed on the stand 20 so that the fourth manifold 17 faces the first support surface 22, and the first manifold 14 faces the second support surface 23. The first support surface 22 supports the fuel cell stack 10 from the -Z direction side. The second support surface 23 supports the fuel cell stack 10 from the -Y direction side.

Because the first support surface 22 is inclined relative to the bottom surface 21, the fuel cell stack 10 is supported on the stand 20 in a state inclined relative to the installation surface S. More specifically, the fuel cell stack 10 is inclined relative to the installation surface S so that its end face in the -Y direction is lower than its end face in the +Y direction.

Because the fuel cell stack 10 is inclined with respect to the installation surface S as described above, the water in the air outlet manifold 17a and the cooling water inlet manifold 17c of the fourth manifold 17 is collected by its own weight in the end region in the -Y direction of each manifold 17a, 17c. As described above, drainage holes 17ah, 17ch are formed in the end region in the -Y direction of the bottom surfaces 17ab, 17cb of each manifold 17a, 17c. Therefore, by removing the plugs 18a, 18c that close the holes 17ah, 17ch, the water in each manifold 17a, 17c can be efficiently removed through the holes 17ah, 17ch.

In the example shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the drainage holes 17ah and 17ch are provided separately from the holes to which the outlet pipes 17b and inlet pipes 17d of the manifolds 17a and 17c are connected, but this is not limited to the above. In other words, the drainage holes 17ah and 17ch may also serve as holes to which the outlet pipes 17b and inlet pipes 17d are connected. In other words, the outlet pipes 17b and inlet pipes 17d may be connected to the drainage holes 17ah and 17ch.

In the example shown in Figures 1 to 5, the drainage holes 17ah, 17ch are provided in the air outlet manifold 17a and the cooling water inlet manifold 17c, but this is not limited to the example. The drainage holes may be provided in other manifolds. In this case, too, by providing each drainage hole in the end region in the -Y direction of the bottom surface of the manifold in which the hole is provided, water within the manifold can be efficiently removed.

In the example shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the first support surface 22 is inclined with respect to the D1 and D2 directions and parallel with the D3 direction, but is not limited to this. The first support surface 22 may be inclined with respect to the D1 and D3 directions and parallel with the D2 direction. In this case, if the drainage holes 17ah, 17ch are formed in the end region closest to the installation surface S among the end regions in the +X direction and the -X direction of the bottom surfaces 17ab, 17cb of each manifold 17a, 17c, water from the manifolds 17a, 17c can be efficiently removed through the holes 17ah, 17ch.

In the example shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the fourth manifold 17 is provided with an air outlet manifold 17a and a cooling water inlet manifold 17c, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the fourth manifold 17 may be provided with an air inlet manifold 16a and a cooling water outlet manifold 16c, and the third manifold 16 may be provided with an air outlet manifold 17a and a cooling water inlet manifold 17c. Alternatively, the fourth manifold 17 may be provided with an air outlet manifold 17a and a cooling water outlet manifold 16c, and the third manifold 16 may be provided with an air inlet manifold 16a and a cooling water inlet manifold 17c. Alternatively, the fourth manifold 17 may be provided with an air inlet manifold 16a and a cooling water inlet manifold 17c, and the third manifold 16 may be provided with an air outlet manifold 17a and a cooling water outlet manifold 16c.

<Modification 1-1>
Next, a modified example of the fuel cell assembly according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. A fuel cell assembly 1A of modified example 1-1 shown in Figures 6 and 7 differs in that it includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks 10. Also, a frame 20A differs in that it is capable of supporting a plurality of fuel cell stacks 10. The rest of the configuration is substantially the same as the fuel cell assembly 1 shown in Figures 1 to 5. In modified example 1-1 shown in Figures 6 and 7, the same parts as those of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, the stand 20A of the fuel cell assembly 1A of the modified example 1-1 supports multiple fuel cell stacks 10. As shown in FIG. 7, the stand 20A has multiple first support surfaces 22, and a fuel cell stack 10 is disposed on each of the first support surfaces 22. The stand 20A also has multiple second support surfaces 23 corresponding to the multiple first support surfaces 22. Each fuel cell stack 10 is supported from the -Z direction side and the -Y direction side by the corresponding first support surface 22 and second support surface 23.

Since each first support surface 22 is inclined with respect to the bottom surface 21, each fuel cell stack 10 is supported on the stand 20A in a state inclined with respect to the installation surface S. More specifically, each fuel cell stack 10 is inclined with respect to the installation surface so that its end face in the -Y direction is lower than its end face in the +Y direction.

This type of fuel cell assembly 1A allows efficient removal of water from the manifolds 17a and 17c of the multiple fuel cell stacks 10.

As described above, according to the first embodiment and the modified example 1-1, the fuel cell assembly 1, 1A includes a fuel cell stack 10 including a stack 11 including a plurality of fuel cells, manifolds 17a, 17c that accommodate gas or cooling water supplied to the stack 11 or gas or cooling water discharged from the stack 11, and a stand 20, 20A that supports the fuel cell stack 10. The stand 20, 20A supports the fuel cell stack 10 with the manifolds 17a, 17c inclined relative to the installation surface S of the fuel cell assembly 1, 1A. In addition, holes 17ah, 17ch that lead to the outside of the manifolds 17a, 17c are formed in the areas of the manifolds 17a, 17c that are closest to the installation surface S.

With this type of fuel cell assembly 1, 1A, the water in the manifolds 17a, 17c can be collected in the areas where the holes 17ah, 17ch are formed due to its own weight, and the water can be efficiently removed through the holes 17ah, 17ch.

Furthermore, the fuel cell assembly 1, 1A further includes plugs 18a, 18c that close the holes 17ah, 17ch. This allows the plugs 18a, 18c to close the holes 17ah, 17ch when the fuel cell is in operation.

Alternatively, the fuel cell assembly 1, 1A further includes an inlet pipe 17d for introducing gas or cooling water into the manifolds 17a, 17c, or an outlet pipe 17b for discharging gas or cooling water from the manifolds 17a, 17c. The inlet pipe 17d or the outlet pipe 17b is connected to the above-mentioned holes 17ah, 17ch. In this case, the drainage holes 17ah, 17ch can also serve as holes to which the inlet pipe 17d or the outlet pipe 17b is connected.

Second Embodiment
Next, a fuel cell assembly according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 11. The fuel cell assembly 1B of the second embodiment shown in Figures 8 to 11 differs in that the first support surface 22B of the stand 20B is inclined not only in the D2 direction but also in the D3 direction. The other configurations are substantially the same as those of the fuel cell assembly 1 shown in Figures 1 to 5. In the second embodiment shown in Figures 8 to 11, the same parts as those of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5 are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in Figs. 8 to 11, the first support surface 22B of the stand 20B of the second embodiment is inclined with respect to the D1 direction and the D2 direction. The first support surface 22B is also inclined with respect to the D3 direction.

As can be seen from Figures 9 and 10, holes (drainage holes) 17ah and 17ch that lead to the outside of the manifolds 17a and 17c are formed in the areas where the end areas in the -X direction and the -Y direction of the bottom surfaces 17ab and 17cb of the air outlet manifold 17a and the cooling water inlet manifold 17c overlap.

Since the first support surface 22B is inclined relative to the bottom surface 21, the fuel cell stack 10 is supported on the stand 20 in a state inclined relative to the installation surface S. More specifically, the fuel cell stack 10 is inclined relative to the installation surface S so that its end face in the -X direction is lower than its end face in the +X direction, and its end face in the -Y direction is lower than its end face in the +Y direction. Therefore, the water in the air outlet manifold 17a and the cooling water inlet manifold 17c of the fourth manifold 17 is collected by its own weight in the area where the end regions in the -X direction and the -Y direction of each manifold 17a, 17c overlap.

As described above, drainage holes 17ah, 17ch are formed in the area where the end area in the -X direction and the end area in the -Y direction of the bottom surfaces 17ab, 17cb of each manifold 17a, 17c overlap. Therefore, by removing the plugs 18a, 18c that close the holes 17ah, 17ch, the water inside each manifold 17a, 17c can be efficiently removed through the holes ah, 17ch.

With this fuel cell assembly 1B, the water in the manifolds 17a and 17c can be removed efficiently. In particular, compared to the fuel cell assembly 1 shown in Figures 1 to 5, the water is collected in a narrower area in each manifold 17a and 17c, so the water can be removed more efficiently.

<Modification 2-1>
Next, a modified example of the fuel cell assembly according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 12A to 13. A fuel cell assembly 1C according to modified example 2-1 shown in Figures 12A to 13 differs in that a stand 20C includes two stand portions 30, 35. The other configurations are substantially the same as those of the fuel cell assembly 1B shown in Figures 8 to 11. In modified example 2-1 shown in Figures 12A to 13, the same parts as those in the second embodiment shown in Figures 8 to 11 are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in Figs. 12A to 13, the frame 20C of the modified example 2-1 has a first frame portion 30 and a second frame portion 35 aligned in the D3 direction. The first frame portion 30 and the second frame portion 35 are spaced apart from each other. Each frame portion 30, 35 has a bottom surface 31, 36, and a first support surface 32, 37 and a second support surface 33a, 38a that support the fuel cell stack 10. In the illustrated example, the first frame portion 30 and the second frame portion 35 are connected to each other via a connecting member 39, and cannot move relative to each other. Note that, although the connecting member 39 is a plate in the example shown in Figs. 12A to 13, this is not limited thereto. The connecting member 39 may be an angle or a frame as shown in Fig. 16, which will be described later.

The bottom surfaces 31 and 36 are surfaces that are positioned opposite the installation surface S when the fuel cell assembly 1C is installed on the installation surface S. The bottom surfaces 31 and 36 extend within a plane defined by the D2 direction and the D3 direction. In addition, the bottom surfaces 31 and 36 extend within a plane parallel to the installation surface S when the stand 20C is installed on the installation surface S.

The first support surfaces 32, 37 are surfaces that support the fuel cell stack 10 from below. The first support surfaces 32, 37 are inclined with respect to the bottom surfaces 31, 36. In the illustrated example, the first support surfaces 32, 37 are inclined with respect to the bottom surfaces 31, 36 so as to move in the -D1 direction as they move in the -D2 direction. The height (distance from the bottom surface 31) of the first support surface 32 of the first frame portion 30 and the height (distance from the bottom surface 36) of the first support surface 37 of the second frame portion 35 are different. In the illustrated example, the first frame portion 30 and the second frame portion 35 are arranged in this order along the +D3 direction. The first support surface 32 of the first frame portion 30 located on the -D3 direction side is lower than the first support surface 37 of the second frame portion 35 located on the +D3 direction side.

The second support surfaces 33a, 38a are surfaces that support the fuel cell stack 10 from the sides. The second support surfaces 33a, 38a are connected to the -D2 edge (the edge closest to the bottom surface 31, 36) of the first support surfaces 32, 37, and prevent the fuel cell stack 10 placed on the first support surfaces 32, 37 from slipping off the first support surfaces 32, 37. In the illustrated example, the second support surfaces 33a, 38a are inclined with respect to the bottom surfaces 31, 36 so as to move in the +D1 direction as they move in the -D2 direction.

In the fuel cell assembly 1C, the fuel cell stack 10 is disposed on the first support surfaces 32, 37 of the first frame portion 30 and the second frame portion 35. More specifically, the fuel cell stack 10 is disposed so that the fourth manifold 17 faces the first support surfaces 32, 37, and the first manifold 14 faces the second support surfaces 33a, 38a. The first support surfaces 32, 37 support the fuel cell stack 10 from the -Z direction side. The second support surfaces 33a, 38a support the fuel cell stack 10 from the -Y direction side.

Since each of the first support surfaces 32, 37 is inclined with respect to the bottom surfaces 31, 36, and the first support surface 32 of the first frame portion 30 is lower than the first support surface 37 of the second frame portion 35, the fuel cell stack 10 is supported on the frame 20 in a state inclined with respect to the installation surface S. More specifically, the fuel cell stack 10 is inclined with respect to the installation surface S so that its end face in the -X direction is lower than its end face in the +X direction, and its end face in the -Y direction is lower than its end face in the +Y direction. Therefore, the water in the air outlet manifold 17a and the cooling water inlet manifold 17c of the fourth manifold 17 is collected by its own weight in the area where the end regions in the -X direction and the -Y direction of each manifold 17a, 17c overlap.

As described above, holes (drainage holes) 17ah, 17ch that lead to the outside of the manifolds 17a, 17c are formed in the areas where the end areas in the -X direction and the -Y direction of the bottom surfaces 17ab, 17cb of the manifolds 17a, 17c overlap. Therefore, by removing the plugs 18a, 18c that close the holes 17ah, 17ch, water inside the manifolds 17a, 17c can be efficiently removed through the holes 17ah, 17ch.

This type of fuel cell assembly 1C also allows the water in the manifolds 17a and 17c of the fuel cell stack 10 to be efficiently removed.

In addition, in the modified example 2-1, as shown in FIG. 13, each of the frame parts 30, 35 has a third support surface 33b, 38b. As can be seen from FIG. 12A, the third support surface 33b, 38b is a surface that supports the fuel cell stack 10 from the side opposite to the second support surface 33a, 38a. The third support surface 33b, 38b extends in the +D1 direction from the edge of the first support surface 32, 37 in the +D2 direction (the edge furthest from the bottom surface 31, 36) to prevent the fuel cell stack 10 arranged on the first support surface 32, 37 from moving in the +Y direction relative to the frame 20C. The second support surface 33a, 38a and the third support surface 33b, 38b form a slip prevention structure 33, 38 that prevents the fuel cell stack 10 from moving in the Y direction relative to the frame 20C.

Furthermore, in variant 2-1, the fuel cell stack 10 is fixed to the frame 20C with a band M. In the illustrated example, the band M extends from the first manifold 14 side, over the third manifold 16, to the second manifold 15 side. Both ends of the band M are fixed to the end faces of the frame 20C in the -D direction and the +D direction, respectively, with fasteners N such as screws.

<Modification 2-2>
Next, another modification of the fuel cell assembly according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. A fuel cell assembly 1D of modification 2-2 shown in Figures 14 and 15 differs in that it includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks 10. Also, a frame 20D differs in that it is capable of supporting a plurality of fuel cell stacks 10. The rest of the configuration is substantially the same as the fuel cell assembly 1B shown in Figures 8 to 11. In modification 2-2 shown in Figures 14 and 15, the same parts as those of the second embodiment shown in Figures 8 to 11 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 14, the stand 20D of the fuel cell assembly 1D of modification 2-2 supports multiple fuel cell stacks 10. As shown in FIG. 15, the stand 20D has multiple first support surfaces 22B, and a fuel cell stack 10 is disposed on each of the first support surfaces 22B. The stand 20D also has multiple second support surfaces 23 corresponding to the multiple first support surfaces 22B. Each fuel cell stack 10 is supported from the -Z direction side and the -Y direction side by the corresponding first support surface 22B and second support surface 23.

Since each first support surface 22B is inclined with respect to the bottom surface 21, each fuel cell stack 10 is supported on the stand 20D in a state inclined with respect to the installation surface S. More specifically, each fuel cell stack 10 is inclined with respect to the installation surface S so that its end face in the -X direction is lower than its end face in the +X direction, and its end face in the -Y direction is lower than its end face in the +Y direction.

This type of fuel cell assembly 1D can efficiently remove water from the manifolds 17a and 17c of the multiple fuel cell stacks 10.

<Modification 2-3>
In addition, the fuel cell stacks 10 can also be inclined with respect to the installation surface S by using a stand 20E shown in Fig. 16 so that the end face in the -X direction is lower than the end face in the +X direction and the end face in the -Y direction is lower than the end face in the +Y direction. The stand 20E shown in Fig. 15 has a first stand portion 30E and a second stand portion 35E aligned in the D3 direction, similar to the stand 20C of the modified example 2-1 shown in Figs. 12A to 13. In the following description, the same parts as those of the modified example 2-1 shown in Figs. 12A to 13 are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Each mounting portion 30E, 35E has a bottom surface 31, 36, and a number of first support surfaces 32, 37, a number of second support surfaces 33a, 38a, and a number of third support surfaces 33b, 38b that support the fuel cell stack 10. The first mounting portion 30E and the second mounting portion 35E are arranged in this order along the +D3 direction. The height (distance from the bottom surface 31) of each first support surface 32 of the first mounting portion 30E is lower than the height (distance from the bottom surface 36) of the first support surface 37 of the second mounting portion 35E that is aligned with the first support surface 32 in the D3 direction.

A fuel cell assembly using such a stand 20E can also efficiently remove water from the manifolds 17a, 17c of multiple fuel cell stacks 10.

As described above, according to the second embodiment and modified examples 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3, when a first direction (direction D1) perpendicular to the installation surface S, a second direction (direction D2) perpendicular to the first direction, and a third direction (direction D3) perpendicular to the first and second directions are defined, the manifolds 17a and 17c of the fuel cell stack 10 are inclined with respect to the second direction and are also inclined with respect to the third direction.

With such fuel cell assemblies 1B, 1C, and 1D, water in the manifolds 17a and 17c can be efficiently removed through the holes 17ah and 17ch.

Specifically, the support surface 22B of the stands 20B and 20D is inclined with respect to the D2 direction and also inclined with respect to the D3 direction.

Alternatively, the stands 20C, 20E have a first stand portion 30, 30E and a second stand portion 35, 35E aligned in the third direction (direction D3). The first stand portion 30, 30E and the second stand portion 35, 35E have support surfaces 32, 37 that support the fuel cell stack 10, respectively. The height of the support surface 32 of the first stand portion 30, 30E is different from the height of the support surface 37 of the second stand portion 35, 35E.

Third Embodiment
Next, a fuel cell assembly according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 17 to 19. The fuel cell assembly 1F of the third embodiment shown in Figures 17 to 19 differs mainly in that a stand 20F is provided with wheels 40 and that the stand 20F has a seismic isolation device 50. The other configurations are substantially the same as those of the fuel cell assembly 1B shown in Figures 8 to 11. In the third embodiment shown in Figure 17, the same parts as those in the second embodiment shown in Figures 8 to 11 are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, wheels 40 are attached to the stand 20F of the fuel cell assembly 1F shown in FIG. 17. This makes it easy to move the fuel cell assembly 1F relative to the installation surface S when necessary (for example, when removing water from the manifolds 17a, 17c of the fuel cell assembly 1F). In the illustrated example, the wheels 40 are fixed to a rotating shaft 41 rotatably attached to the stand 20F, and can rotate together with the rotating shaft 41. As shown in FIG. 17, rails 60 that receive the wheels 40 are provided on the installation surface S, making it easy to move the fuel cell assembly 1F along the direction in which the rails 60 extend (direction D2 in the illustrated example).

The fuel cell assembly 1F shown in FIG. 17 is provided with a fixing device 45 capable of preventing the fuel cell assembly 1F from moving relative to the installation surface S. In the illustrated example, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the fixing device 45 is attached to the bottom surface 21 of the stand 20F. The fixing device 45 has a movable part 46 that can move between a first position (see FIG. 18) in contact with the installation surface S and a second position (see FIG. 19) away from the installation surface S. In the illustrated example, the movable part 46 has a base 47 that can change the amount of extension from the bottom surface 21 in the -D1 direction, and a contact part 48 fixed to the end of the base 47 in the -D1 direction. The contact part 48 moves relative to the bottom surface 21 as the amount of extension of the base 47 is changed. When the fuel cell assembly 1F is fixed to the installation surface S, the movable part 46 is placed in the first position to bring the contact part 48 into contact with the installation surface S. This prevents the fuel cell assembly 1F from moving on the installation surface S as the wheels 40 rotate. On the other hand, when the fuel cell assembly 1F is moved relative to the installation surface S, the movable portion 46 is placed in the second position to separate the contact portion 48 from the installation surface S. This allows the fuel cell assembly 1F to move on the installation surface S as the wheels 40 rotate.

The stand 20F of the fuel cell assembly 1F shown in Figures 17 to 19 also has a seismic isolation device 50. More specifically, the stand 20F has a lower portion 25 including the bottom surface 21, and an upper portion 26 including the first support surface 22B and the second support surface 23. Between the lower portion 25 and the upper portion 26, a seismic isolation device 50 is disposed that suppresses the transmission of vibration from the lower portion 25 to the upper portion 26. This makes it possible to suppress vibration of the fuel cell stack 10 relative to the installation surface S when the fuel cell assembly 1F is moved relative to the installation surface S.

<Modification 3-1>
Next, a modified example of the fuel cell assembly according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 20. The fuel cell assembly 1G of modified example 3-1 shown in Figure 20 differs mainly in that the stand 20G includes the stand parts 30, 35 shown in Figures 12A to 13, and the direction of movement by the wheels 40 is direction D3. The other configurations are substantially the same as those of the fuel cell assembly 1F shown in Figures 17 to 19. In modified example 3-1 shown in Figure 20, the same parts as those in the embodiment shown in Figures 12A to 13 and Figures 17 to 19 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 20, the stand 20G of the fuel cell assembly 1G of variant 3-1 has stand portions 30, 35, a base 55 to which the wheels 40 are attached, and a seismic isolation device 50 disposed between the stand portions 30, 35 and the base 55. The seismic isolation device 50 prevents the transmission of vibrations from the base 50 to the stand portions 30, 35.

The fuel cell assembly 1G shown in FIG. 20 also makes it easy to fix the fuel cell assembly 1G to the installation surface S and move it when necessary. In addition, vibration of the fuel cell stack 10 relative to the installation surface S when the fuel cell assembly 1G is moved relative to the installation surface S can be suppressed.

As described above, according to the third embodiment and modified example 3-1, the fuel cell assembly 1F, 1G further includes wheels 40 provided on the stands 20F, 20G to allow the fuel cell assembly 1F, 1G to move relative to the installation surface S, and a fixing device 45 that can prevent the fuel cell assembly 1F, 1G from moving relative to the installation surface S. With such a fuel cell assembly 1F, 1G, the fuel cell assembly 1F, 1G can be fixed to the installation surface S, and can be easily moved relative to the installation surface S when desired.

Specifically, the fixing device 45 has a movable part 46 that can move between a first position in contact with the installation surface S and a second position away from the installation surface S. With such a fixing device 45, by placing the movable part 46 in the first position, it is possible to prevent the fuel cell assemblies 1F, 1G from moving on the installation surface S as the wheels 40 rotate. In addition, by placing the movable part 46 in the second position, it is possible to allow the fuel cell assemblies 1F, 1G to move on the installation surface S as the wheels 40 rotate.

The movable part 46 of the fixing device 45 is not limited to the above. For example, the movable part 46 may be movable between a first position where the movable part 46 abuts against the wheel 40 to prevent the wheel 40 from rotating relative to the pedestal 20F, 20G, and a second position where the movable part 46 is separated from the wheel 40 to allow the wheel 40 to rotate relative to the pedestal 20F, 20G. According to such a fixing device 45, by placing the movable part 46 in the first position, the wheel 40 can be fixed to the pedestal 20F, 20G, and the movement of the fuel cell assembly 1F, 1G relative to the installation surface S can be prevented. Also, by placing the movable part 46 in the second position, the rotation of the wheel 40 relative to the pedestal 20F, 20G can be allowed, and the fuel cell assembly 1F, 1G can be moved relative to the installation surface S in accordance with the rotation of the wheel 40.

The above-described embodiments and their modifications are within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. Naturally, the above-described embodiments and their modifications can be combined in part as appropriate within the spirit of the present invention.

1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1F, 1G: fuel cell assembly, 10: fuel cell stack, 11: laminate, 14: first manifold, 14a: fuel gas inlet manifold, 15: second manifold, 15a: fuel gas outlet manifold, 16: third manifold, 16a: air inlet manifold, 16c: cooling water outlet manifold, 17: fourth manifold, 17a: air outlet manifold fold, 17c: cooling water inlet manifold, 17ah, 17ch: holes, 18a, 18c: plugs, 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E, 20G: stand, 21, 31, 36: bottom surface, 22, 22B, 32, 37: first support surface, 23, 33, 38: second support surface, 30: first stand part, 35: second stand part, 40: wheels, 45: fixing device, 46: movable part, 50: seismic isolation device, S: installation surface

Claims (10)

A fuel cell stack including a stack including a plurality of fuel cell units and a manifold that accommodates cooling water supplied to the stack or cooling water discharged from the stack;
A stand for supporting the fuel cell stack;
A fuel cell assembly comprising:
the stand supports the fuel cell stack in a state in which the manifold is inclined with respect to a mounting surface of the fuel cell assembly,
a hole communicating with the outside of the manifold is formed in a region of the manifold closest to the installation surface ,
The fuel cell assembly further comprises wheels provided on the stand so as to enable the fuel cell assembly to be moved relative to the installation surface, and a fixing device capable of preventing the fuel cell assembly from moving relative to the installation surface. 2. The fuel cell assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing device has a movable portion movable between a first position in contact with the installation surface and a second position spaced apart from the installation surface. 2. The fuel cell assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the fixing device has a movable part that is movable between a first position in which it abuts against the wheel to prevent the wheel from rotating relative to the base, and a second position in which it is spaced away from the wheel to allow the wheel to rotate relative to the base. The fuel cell assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a seismic isolation device. A fuel cell stack including a stack including a plurality of fuel cell units and a manifold that accommodates cooling water supplied to the stack or cooling water discharged from the stack;
A stand for supporting the fuel cell stack;
A fuel cell assembly comprising:
the stand supports the fuel cell stack in a state in which the manifold is inclined with respect to a mounting surface of the fuel cell assembly,
a hole communicating with the outside of the manifold is formed in a region of the manifold closest to the installation surface,
The fuel cell assembly further comprises a seismic isolation device. The fuel cell assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a plug closing said hole. the fuel cell assembly further includes an inlet pipe for introducing cooling water into the manifold or an outlet pipe for discharging cooling water from the manifold;
6. The fuel cell assembly of claim 1, wherein the inlet pipe or the outlet pipe is connected to the hole. 8. A fuel cell assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein when a first direction perpendicular to the installation surface, a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction are defined, the manifold is inclined with respect to the second direction and is inclined with respect to the third direction. the frame has a support surface that supports the fuel cell stack,
9. The fuel cell assembly of claim 8 , wherein the support surface is inclined with respect to the second direction and inclined with respect to the third direction. the mount has a first mount portion and a second mount portion aligned in the third direction,
the first frame portion and the second frame portion each have a support surface that supports the fuel cell stack;
10. The fuel cell assembly according to claim 8 or 9 , wherein a height of the support surface of the first mounting portion and a height of the support surface of the second mounting portion are different.

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