scholarly journals An Equivalent Mechanical Model Investigating Endplates Deflection For a Large PEM Fuel Cell Stack

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiming Zhang ◽  
Jun Zhang ◽  
Yapeng Shang ◽  
Tong Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Pressure Distribution ◽  
Contact Pressure ◽  
Mechanical Model ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Beam Model ◽  
Contact Pressure Distribution ◽  
Fuel Cell Stack ◽  
Equivalent Mechanical Model ◽  
Good Prediction Accuracy

Abstract The endplates are essential to assembly a large proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack, whose deflection is negative to its uniform contact pressure distribution and large electrical contact resistance. The endplates with assembly clamping belts are proposed as an equivalent mechanical beam model consisting of elastic beam element with clamping forces. The deflection curve equations of endplates with 1 to 5 clamping belts are studied which allows investigating endplates deflection for uniform contact pressure distribution. Based on this equivalent mechanical model for fuel cell stack, the effects of the thicknesses of endplates, numbers and positions of clamping belts are discussed, and show the optimal thickness of endplate with different clamping belts, and moreover the optimal position of intermediate and outer clamping belts on the endplates. Finally, a three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) of a fuel cell stack clamping with steel belts and nonlinear contact elements is compared to what the equivalent mechanical beam model predicts. It is found that the presented model gives good prediction accuracy for the deflection behavior of endplates and the clamping force. Results showed that the equivalent mechanical modeling is effective and helpful for the design of a large fuel cell stack assembly.

scholarly journals An equivalent mechanical model investigating endplates deflection for PEM fuel cell stack

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 168781402110300
Author(s):  
Zhiming Zhang ◽  
Yapeng Shang ◽  
Tong Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Mechanical Model ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Good Prediction ◽  
Beam Model ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Optimal Position ◽  
Fuel Cell Stack ◽  
Equivalent Mechanical Model ◽  
Good Prediction Accuracy

The aim of this study is to obtain the deflection curve equations of endplates with one to five clamping belts which allows investigating endplates deflection for uniform contact pressure distribution. Based on an equivalent mechanical model for a large fuel cell stack, the effects of the thicknesses of endplates, numbers, and positions of clamping belts are discussed, and the optimal thickness of endplate with different clamping belts is obtained, and moreover the optimal position of intermediate and outer clamping belts on the endplates. Finally, a three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) of a fuel cell stack clamping with steel belts and nonlinear contact elements is compared to what the equivalent mechanical beam model predicts. The result of this study shows that the equivalent mechanical model gives good prediction accuracy for the deflection behavior of endplates and the clamping force of the fuel cell stack, which is effective and helpful for the design of a large fuel cell stack assembly.

Investigation of contact pressure distribution over the active area of PEM fuel cell stack

2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 3062-3071 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Alizadeh ◽  
M.M. Barzegari ◽  
M. Momenifar ◽  
M. Ghadimi ◽  
S.H.M. Saadat
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Pressure Distribution ◽  
Contact Pressure ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Active Area ◽  
Contact Pressure Distribution ◽  
Fuel Cell Stack

Numerical Simulation and Experimental Study on the Contact Pressure between Bipolar Plate and GDL in a PEM Fuel Cell

2015 ◽  
Vol 750 ◽  
pp. 220-225
Author(s):  
Xue Mei Han ◽  
Jin Zhu Tan ◽  
Yong Chang Liu ◽  
Peng Li ◽  
Long Pan
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Pressure Distribution ◽  
Contact Pressure ◽  
Operating Temperature ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Bipolar Plate ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Contact Pressure Distribution

Both assembly force and temperature play an important role in the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell performance. In this paper, contact pressure between bipolar plate and gas diffusion layer (GDL) in a PEM fuel cell under various assembly forces and at different temperatures was studied numerically. Considering the coupling effects of assembly force and operating temperature on contact pressure, a three-dimensional finite element model of the PEM fuel cell was established and the contact pressure between the GDL and the bipolar plate was studied using commercial code ABAQUS. In order to verify the simulated results, the experimental study was conducted to investigate the contact pressure distribution between the bipolar plate and the GDL. The experimental results are in good agreement with the finite element method (FEM) results. The simulated and experimental results reveal that the contact pressure increased with the increase of assembly force and temperature. It is found that the contact pressure distribution between the bipolar plate and the GDL had the best uniformity under the applied torque of 3.0N·m and at the operating temperature of 80 °C in this work.

Simulation and experimental analysis of the clamping pressure distribution in a PEM fuel cell stack

2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (15) ◽  
pp. 6481-6493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Bates ◽  
Santanu Mukherjee ◽  
Sunwook Hwang ◽  
Sang C. Lee ◽  
Osung Kwon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Pressure Distribution ◽  
Experimental Analysis ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Fuel Cell Stack ◽  
Clamping Pressure

An Analytical Model for Contact Pressure Prediction Considering Dimensional Error of Stamped Bipolar Plate and Gas Diffusion Layer in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Stack Assembly

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Linfa Peng ◽  
Diankai Qiu ◽  
Peiyun Yi ◽  
Xinmin Lai
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Pressure Distribution ◽  
Contact Pressure ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Bipolar Plate ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Dimensional Errors ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Contact pressure distribution between bipolar plate (BPP) and gas diffusion layer (GDL) has significant impact on performance and life time of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. Most current studies for contact pressure prediction are based on finite-element analysis (FEA), requiring huge computation for the whole fuel cell assembly. Comparatively speaking, the more generalized and well-developed analytical methods are deficient in this field. The objective of this study is to propose a full-scale continuous equivalent model to predict GDL contact pressure effectively in the PEM fuel cell. Using the model, the nonuniform pressure distribution resulted from dimensional errors of metallic BPP and GDL could be obtained. First, a parameterized theoretical model of BPP/GDL assembly is established based on equivalent stiffness analysis of components, and definition methods of dimensional errors are proposed according to actual measurements and Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). Then, experiments are carried out to obtain the actual GDL contact pressure and the model results show good agreement with experimental results. At last, effects of dimensional errors are investigated. Acceptable assembly pressure for a given fuel cell is suggested based on the model. This model is helpful to understand the effect of the dimensional errors, and it also could be adopted to guide the manufacturing of BPP, GDL, and the assembling of PEM fuel cell.

A Transient Tire Model for Uneven Road Surface

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seongho Kim ◽  
Parviz E. Nikravesh ◽  
Gwanghun Gim
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Distribution ◽  
Contact Pressure ◽  
Linear Equations ◽  
Vibration Characteristics ◽  
Beam Model ◽  
Tire Model ◽  
Contact Pressure Distribution ◽  
Rigid Ring ◽  
Contact Algorithm ◽  
Circular Beam

This study presents a transient tire model for tire vibration characteristics due to uneven road surfaces. The model is composed of two parts—a static circular beam and a dynamic rigid ring. A new contact algorithm is developed based on the circular beam model, which can estimate contact pressure distribution by solving a set of linear equations. Tire vibration characteristics are then represented by combining the rigid ring model to the circular beam. Examples of contact pressure distribution and tire transient behaviors due to cleat tests are demonstrated and compared with measured data.

Rim Slip and Bead Fitment of Tires: Analysis and Design2

2006 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Distribution ◽  
Contact Pressure ◽  
Frictional Torque ◽  
Finite Element Analyses ◽  
Inflation Pressure ◽  
Contact Pressure Distribution ◽  
Design Modification ◽  
Iterative Design ◽  
Slip Resistance ◽  
Braking Torque

Abstract A tire slips circumferentially on the rim when subjected to a driving or braking torque greater than the maximum tire-rim frictional torque. The balance of the tire-rim assembly achieved with weight attachment at certain circumferential locations in tire mounting is then lost, and vibration or adverse effects on handling may result when the tire is rolled. Bead fitment refers to the fit between a tire and its rim, and in particular, to whether a gap exists between the two. Rim slip resistance, or the maximum tire-rim frictional torque, is the integral of the product of contact pressure, friction coefficient, and the distance to the wheel center over the entire tire-rim interface. Analytical solutions and finite element analyses were used to study the dependence of the contact pressure distribution on tire design and operating attributes such as mold ring profile, bead bundle construction and diameter, and inflation pressure, etc. The tire-rim contact pressure distribution consists of two parts. The pressure on the ledge and the flange, respectively, comes primarily from tire-rim interference and inflation. Relative contributions of the two to the total rim slip resistance vary with tire types, depending on the magnitudes of ledge interference and inflation pressure. Based on the analyses, general guidelines are established for bead design modification to improve rim slip resistance and mountability, and to reduce the sensitivity to manufacturing variability. An iterative design and analysis procedure is also developed to improve bead fitment.

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