ELECTRODE SUPPORT DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING AN ELECTRODE UNIT

Abstract

An electrode support device for supporting an electrode unit of a fuel cell unit and/or electrolyzer unit, in particular of a solid oxide fuel cell unit. The electrode support device includes at least one electrode installation surface for the electrode unit, and at least one form-fitting unit situated at the electrode installation surface for fixing the electrode unit at the electrode installation surface.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. An electrode support device for supporting an electrode unit of a fuel cell unit and/or electrolyzer unit, comprising: at least one electrode installation surface for the electrode unit; and at least one form-fitting unit situated at the electrode installation surface configured to fix the electrode unit at the electrode installation surface.

15. The electrode support device as recited in claim 14, wherein the electrode support device is for supporting an electrode unit of a solid oxide fuel cell unit.

16. The electrode support device as recited in claim 14, wherein at least one form-fitting element of the form-fitting unit is formed as one piece with the electrode installation surface.

17. The electrode support device as recited in claim 14, wherein at least one form-fitting element of the form-fitting unit is situated in a fluid channel-free subarea of the electrode installation surface.

18. The electrode support device as recited in claim 14, wherein at least one form-fitting element of the form-fitting unit is situated in a fluid channel area of the electrode installation surface.

19. The electrode support device as recited in claim 14, wherein at least one form-fitting element of the form-fitting unit includes an undercut.

20. The electrode support device as recited in claim 14, wherein the form-fitting unit includes at least one form-fitting element configured as a microtooth for toothing with the electrode unit.

21. The electrode support device as recited in claim 14, wherein the form-fitting unit includes a multitude of form-fitting elements configured as microteeth for toothing with the electrode unit.

22. A method for manufacturing a fuel cell unit and/or electrolyzer unit, the fuel cell unit and/or electrolyzer unit including at least one electrode unit and at least one electrode support device, the electrode support device at least one electrode installation surface for the electrode unit, and at least one form-fitting unit situated at the electrode installation surface configured to fix the electrode unit at the electrode installation surface, the method comprising: connecting the electrode unit with the electrode support device in a form-fitting manner.

23. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein the fuel cell unit and/or electrolyzer unit is a solid oxide fuel cell unit.

24. The method as recited in claim 22, further comprising: forming at least one form-fitting element of the form-fitting unit at the electrode installation surface of the electrode support device by a material removal process and/or by a material application process.

25. The method as recited in claim 22, further comprising: adapting a form of the electrode unit to at least one form-fitting element of the form-fitting unit of the electrode support device.

26. The method as recited in claim 22, further comprising: adapting a dimensioning of at least one form-fitting element of the form-fitting unit of the electrode support device to a particle size of the electrode unit.

27. The method as recited in claim 22, further comprising: creating at least one form-fitting element of the form-fitting unit of the electrode support device using laser texturing.

28. A fuel cell unit and/or electrolyzer unit including an electrode support device, the electrode support device comprising: at least one electrode installation surface for the electrode unit; and at least one form-fitting unit situated at the electrode installation surface configured to fix the electrode unit at the electrode installation surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Further advantages result from the following description of the figures. One exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in the figures. The figures and the description contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will advantageously also consider the features individually and combine them to form meaningful further combinations.

[0026] FIG. 1 schematically shows a representation of a fuel cell unit and/or electrolyzer unit according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 2 schematically shows a representation of an electrode support device according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 3 schematically shows a representation of a form-fitting element of the electrode support device according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 4 schematically shows a representation of a further form-fitting element of the electrode support device according to an example embodiment of the present invention,

[0030] FIG. 5 schematically shows a representation of additional form-fitting elements of the electrode support device according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 6 schematically shows a representation of another form-fitting element of the electrode support device according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 7 schematically shows a representation of one method according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a fuel cell unit and/or electrolyzer unit 14. Fuel cell unit and/or electrolzyer unit 14 is/are manufactured using a method 38 (see FIG. 7). Fuel cell unit and/or electrolyzer unit 14 include(s) an electrode support device 10. Fuel cell unit and/or electrolyzer unit 14 preferably include(s) at least one electrode unit 12. Fuel cell unit and/or electrolyzer unit 14 is/are preferably designed, in particular as a metal-supported solid oxide fuel cell unit. Electrode unit 12 preferably includes at least one electrode 40. Electrode unit 12 preferably includes at least one further electrode 42. Electrode 40 and/or further electrode 42 is/are each designed as an electrode layer. Electrode 40 is preferably formed from an oxidant electrode material. Further electrode 42 is preferably formed from a fuel electrode material. It is also possible, however that electrode 40 is formed from a fuel electrode material and/or further electrode 42 is formed from an oxidant electrode material. Electrode unit 12 preferably includes at least one separating element 44, in particular, a separating layer. Separating element 44 is preferably designed as an electrolyte layer. Separating layer 44 is preferably situated between electrode 40 and further electrode 42. Electrode unit 12 is preferably situated on electrode support device 10.

[0034] Electrode support device 10 is provided for supporting electrode unit 12 of fuel cell unit and/or electrolyzer unit 14. Electrode support device 10 includes at least one electrode installation surface 16 for electrode unit 12. Electrode installation surface 16, in particular, contacts electrode unit 12. Electrode support device 10 includes preferably at least one, in particular flat, base body 46. Base body 46 is designed preferably as a film, disk and/or plate, in particular as a metal sheet. Electrode support device 10 preferably includes at least one fluid channel 48. Electrode support device 10 preferably includes a multitude of further fluid channels designed, in particular, similarly to fluid channel 48 and situated, in particular, at least essentially in parallel. Fluid channel 48 is preferably set into base body 46. Fluid channel 48, in particular, penetrates base body 46. At least one outlet opening 50 of fluid channel 48 preferably empties into electrode installation surface 16. Electrode installation surface 16 preferably completely surrounds outlet opening 50 in at least one plane. Electrode installation surface 16 includes at least one fluid channel area 34. Fluid channel 48, in particular, and, in particular, all further fluid channels of electrode support device 10 are situated in fluid channel area 34. Electrode installation surface 16 preferably includes one fluid channel-free subarea 32. Further electrode unit 12 preferably contacts fluid channel area 34. Separating element 44 preferably contacts fluid channel-free subarea 32. Fluid channel-free subarea 32, in particular, encloses fluid channel area 34 completely at least in one plane. Separating element 44, in particular, seals fluid channel area 34 off from fluid channel-free subarea 32 and/or from electrode 40 in a fluid-tight manner. Electrode support device 10 preferably includes at least one fluid space closure element 51. Fluid space closure element 51 is designed, in particular, as a metal sheet. Fluid space closure element 51 is situated, in particular, on base body 46, in particular on an outside of base body 46 that faces away from electrode installation surface 16. Fluid space closure element 51 and the base body preferably form a fluid space 53 for distributing a fluid, in particular an oxidant and/or a fuel, on fluid channel 48 and/or on further fluid channels.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of electrode support device 10. Electrode support device 10 includes at least one form-fitting unit 18. Form-fitting unit 18 is situated at electrode installation surface 16. Form-fitting unit 18 is provided for fixing electrode unit 12 on electrode installation surface 16. Form-fitting unit 18 preferably includes at least one form-fitting element 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30. FIGS. 3 through 6 show a detailed view of form-fitting elements 22, 24, 26, 38, 30. Form-fitting unit 18 includes at least one form-fitting element 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 designed as a microtooth for toothing with electrode unit 12. Form-fitting unit 18 includes a multitude of form-fitting elements 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 designed as microteeth for toothing with electrode unit 12. Form-fitting elements 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 of form-fitting unit 18 are designed as one piece with electrode installation surface 16. Form-fitting elements 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 are, in particular, designed as one piece with base body 46.

[0036] Form-fitting unit 18 preferably includes at least trapezoidal form-fitting element 20. Trapezoidal form-fitting element 20 has, in particular, a trapezoidal profile in at least one sectional plane at least essentially perpendicular to electrode installation surface 16. Trapezoidal form-fitting element 20 has, in particular, a rectangular and/or trapezoidal profile in a further sectional plane at least essentially perpendicular to the sectional plane and to electrode installation surface 16. Trapezoidal form-fitting element 20 is designed, in particular, as a truncated cone, a truncated pyramid and/or as a trapezoidal web. Trapezoidal form-fitting element 20 of form-fitting unit 18 includes, in particular, an undercut 36. The longer characteristic trapezoid side forms, in particular, electrode installation surface 16. The shorter characteristic trapezoid side is situated, in particular, facing away from electrode installation surface 16.

[0037] Form-fitting unit 18 preferably includes at least cuboid form-fitting element 22 (see FIG. 3). Form-fitting unit 18 preferably includes at least cylindrical form-fitting element 24 (see FIG. 4). Form-fitting unit 18 preferably includes conical form-fitting element 26 (see FIG. 5). Form-fitting unit 18 preferably includes at least pyramidal form-fitting element 26 (see FIG. 5). Form-fitting unit 18 preferably includes at least further pyramidal form-fitting element 30 (see FIG. 6).

[0038] Form-fitting unit 18 preferably includes a multitude of at least essentially identically constructed form-fitting elements. It is possible that form-fitting unit 18 includes form-fitting elements of only one single type. It is also possible that different types of the form-fitting elements are used in different subareas of electrode installation surface 16. Moreover, it is also possible that at least two different types of the form-fitting elements are used, in particular, alternatingly, in at least one subarea (cf. FIG. 5).

[0039] At least one of form-fitting elements 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 of form-fitting unit 18 is situated in fluid channel-free subarea 32 of electrode installation surface 16. Form-fitting elements 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 of form-fitting unit 18 are provided, in particular, for sealing off fluid channel area 34, in particular for fixing separating element 44 and/or further electrode 42 on base body 46. Trapezoidal form-fitting element 20, cuboid form-fitting element 22, cylindrical form-fitting element 24, conical form-fitting element 26 and/or pyramidal form-fitting element 28 is/are situated, in particular, in fluid channel-free subarea 32. It is also possible, however, that further pyramidal form-fitting element 30 is situated in fluid channel-free subarea 32. At least one of form-fitting elements 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 of form-fitting unit 18 is situated in fluid channel area 34 of electrode installation surface 16. Further pyramidal form-fitting element 30, in particular, is situated in fluid channel area 34. It is also possible, however, that trapezoidal form-fitting element 20, cuboid form-fitting element 22, cylindrical form-fitting element 24, conical form-fitting element 26 and/or pyramidal form-fitting element 28 is/are situated in fluid channel area 34.

[0040] FIG. 7 shows method 38 for manufacturing fuel cell unit and/or electrolyzer unit 14, in particular, a solid oxide fuel cell unit. Fuel cell unit and/or electrolyzer unit 14 includes at least electrode unit 12 and at least electrode support device 10 for supporting electrode unit 12. In at least one method step, electrode unit 12 is connected to electrode support device 10 at least in a form-fitting manner. Method 38 preferably includes an electrode manufacturing step 52. Electrode unit 12 is preferably manufactured in electrode manufacturing step 52. Electrode unit 12 is preferably manufactured, in particular at least preformed, in at least one electrode manufacturing step 52. At least one blank, one preform, one green body, one whiting or the like is preferably manufactured by electrode unit 12 in electrode manufacturing step 52. Electrode unit 12 is preferably manufactured on a transport element 54, in particular, applied in layers.

[0041] Method 38 preferably includes at least one electrode support manufacturing step 56. Electrode support device 10 is manufactured preferably in electrode support manufacturing step 56. Electrode support device 10, in particular base body 46, is preferably manufactured at least essentially from titanium, Crofer® 22 H/APU, Inconel® 600 or the like. At least base body 46 of electrode support device 10 is structured preferably during a fluid channel formation step 58. At least one fluid channel 48, in particular, is set into base body 46 in fluid channel formation step 58. The at least one fluid channel 48 is preferably set into base body 46 of electrode support device 10 by a shaping process, in particular, with the aid of punching, imprinting, milling, laser drilling, laser cutting, etching or the like. Electrode support device 10 is preferably deburred in fluid channel formation step 58. Electrode support device 10 is preferably cleaned in fluid channel formation step 58. Electrode installation surface 16 is preferably structured in a texturing step 60 to form form-fitting unit 18. Texturing step 60 may be carried out before, after and/or simultaneously with fluid channel formation step 58. In a texturing step 60, at least one of form-fitting elements 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 of form-fitting unit 18 of electrode support device 10 is formed at electrode installation surface 16 of electrode support device 10, in particular, by a material removal process and/or by a material application process. In a texturing step 60, a dimensioning of at least one of form-fitting elements 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 is adapted to a particle size of electrode unit 12. In a texturing step 60, at least one of form-fitting elements 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 is created with the aid of laser texturing. In texturing step 60, in particular, material is removed from electrode support device 10, in particular from base body 46. In texturing step 60, in particular, material at electrode installation surface 16 is removed. Form-fitting elements 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 are, in particular, formed, in particular, freely cut in texturing step 60. Electrode support device 10 is preferably thermally post-treated in electrode support manufacturing step 56. Electrode support device 10 is preferably rolled up and/or stacked in electrode support manufacturing step 56 for transporting and/or for storing. It is also possible that electrode support device 10 is conveyed directly for further processing, for example, via a conveyor system.

[0042] In at least one joining step 62, in particular, pre-formed electrode unit 12 is preferably applied on electrode support device 10, in particular on electrode installation surface 16. In joining step 62, transport element 54 is preferably situated with electrode unit 12 at electrode support device 10. Electrode unit 12, in particular, is faced toward electrode support device 10, in particular, electrode installation surface 16. Joining step 62 preferably includes a heating process and/or a pressing process, in particular for laminating electrode unit 12 onto electrode support device 10, in particular onto electrode installation surface 16. In joining step 62, one form of electrode unit 12 is adapted to the at least one form-fitting element 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 during an application of electrode unit 12 on electrode support device 10. Pre-formed electrode unit 12 is, in particular, pressed onto form-fitting unit 18 for deforming electrode unit 12. One form of electrode unit 12 is, in particular, deformed in joining step 62 complementary to at least one form-fitting element 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30. A granulate and/or a paste, from which electrode unit 12 is constructed, is, in particular, distributed at, around and/or between form-fitting elements 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30. After electrode unit 12 is placed on electrode support device 10, the, in particular, water-soluble transport element 54 is removed from electrode unit 12, in particular, with the aid of moistening. Method 38 preferably includes a sintering step 64. Electrode unit 12 is preferably sintered in sintering step 64, in particular, in a state applied on electrode support device 10. Electrode unit 12 is connected to electrode support device 10 in a form-fitting manner no later than after sintering step 64 and/or after at least a curing of pre-formed electrode unit 12. Electrode unit 12, in particular in a state applied on electrode support device 12, is raised in sintering step 64 to a temperature of more than 600° C., preferably more than 800° C., preferably more than 1000° C. Electrode support device 10, together with electrode unit 12, is split in a separating step 66 into individual metal-supported fuel cell units and/or electrolyzer units 14.