Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1
CELL STACK WITH AT LEAST ONE TENSIONING ELEMENT FOR CLAMPING OF CELL UNITS
The invention relates to a cell stack comprising several cell units stacked be-
tween a first end of the stack of the cell stack and the second end of the
stack
of the cell stack. This cell stack comprises at least one tensioning element
for
clamping of the cell units between the ends of the stack. The at least one ten-
sioning element comprises a first partial section starting from the first
stack
end and extending in the direction of the second stack end and a second par-
tial section starting from the second stack end and extending in the direction
of the first stack end. The at least one tensioning element further comprises
at least one resilient element loaded with compression force which links the
first partial section with the second partial section.
Cell stacks of this kind comprise several cell units, which are typically
designed
in a planar manner, which are stacked one upon the other between a first
stack end of the cell stack and a second stack end of the cell stack. These
cell
units are for instance cells of electrochemical systems or cells for
humidifiers
for electrochemical systems. The cell stack or the cell units, respectively,
can
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for instance be part of a humidifier for an electrochemical system or of an
electrochemical system, such as electrochemical energy storage, a redox-flow
battery, an electrochemical compressor or part of a fuel cell system.
During the use of such cell stacks, it is necessary to compress the cell units
of
the cell stack against each other, e.g. in order to produce the required
sealing
and/or contact forces between the cell units. To this end, tension forces are
transmitted between the stack ends using one or several tensile elements so
that the cell units are pressed one upon the other.
The total height of the cell stack, thus the distance between the ends of the
stack can change over time due to changes in the inner pressure of the cell
units, to a contraction of the cell units or of other parts of the cell stack
as
well as due to a setting of the cell units or of other parts of the cell stack
after
the tensioning or the begin of operation. In order to balance this out and to
maintain the tensioning forces as well as the contact and sealing forces be-
tween the cell units if possible in an admissible range, it is possible to
install
spring sets or beam arrangements between the cell units and at the stack
ends of the cell stack. However, this causes a complex construction of the
cell
stack and increases the space required by the cell stack. In addition,
mounting
and tensioning of such spring sets or beam arrangements generally require
additional or complex steps and are therefore time-demanding.
It is therefore the object of the present invention to create a cell stack of
the
kind described above which can be mounted and tensioned as simple and
time-efficient as possible.
In order to solve this object, a cell stack according to the independent claim
is
proposed. Particular embodiments and variations of this cell stack and of the
method of production proposed result with the dependent claims.
Accordingly, the cell stack comprises several cell units which are stacked be-
tween a first stack end of the cell stack and a second stack end of the cell
stack, e.g. of the kind described at the beginning of this description. In
addi-
tion, the cell stack comprises at least one tensioning element with which a
tensioning force is transmitted or can be transmitted between the first stack
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end and the second stack end, e.g. in order to establish the sealing and/or
contact forces between the cell units mentioned above.
The cell stack comprises one or several such tensioning elements. If in the
following, only one of these at least one tensioning elements is addressed,
the
respective description can also be transferred to the respective other tension-
ing elements in case the cell stack comprises several such tensioning ele-
ments. Thus, several or all tensioning elements of the cell stack can comprise
the respectively described characteristics but this does not need to be men-
tioned explicitly.
The tensioning element which typically connects the first stack end with the
second stack end comprises a first partial section which starts from the first
stack end and extends towards the second stack end as well as a second par-
tial section which starts from the second stack end and extends towards the
first stack end. The partial sections mentioned can be designed band-like or
strip-like; they can be partial sections of a tensioning band of the
tensioning
element.
The tensioning element of the first cell stack in addition comprises at least
one resilient element which can be loaded with a compression force, which
connects the first partial section with the second partial section and
produces
the tensioning force. To this end, the resilient element loaded by a compres-
sion force exerts a force to the first partial section which is directed
towards
the second stack end and in the same way exerts a force to the second partial
section which is directed towards the first stack end. Both forces have the
same magnitude and are directed opposite to each other. A first end of a resil-
ient element can for instance be connected with the connecting element of
the first partial section. A second end of the resilient element opposite to
its
first end can correspondingly be connected with the second partial section via
a second connecting element. Using these connecting elements, the forces of
the resilient element mentioned can be transferred to the first and second
partial section of the tensioning element. These connections between the
ends of the resilient element and the first and second partial sections can be
designed rigid or moveable along the partial sections. With respect to
possible
designs of this connection between the first and second partial sections and
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the connecting elements, it is referred to the description of the shortening
element of the second cell stack, which will be described in the further
course
of this description. This shortening element comprises corresponding connec-
tions to the first and second partial section, which can also be designed for
a
connection between a resilient element and the partial sections.
It shall be stressed that although the tensioning element exerts a clamping
force on the cell stack, the resilient element as such is loaded with a
compres-
sion force. Thus, an increase of the compression of the cell stack goes along
with a stretching of the resilient element and a decrease of the compression
of the cell stack is accompanied with a compression of the resilient element.
In a preferred embodiment of the inventive cell stack, the tensioning element
comprises a shortening element, into which at least a first connection ele-
ment connected with the first partial section and a second connection ele-
ment connected with the second partial section are integrated. The shorten-
ing element is tiltable between a first tilt orientation in which the first
connec-
tion element is oriented towards the first stack end and the second connec-
tion element is oriented towards the second stack end and a second tilt orien-
tation in which the first connection element is oriented towards the second
stack end and the second connection element is oriented towards the first
stack end. By tilting of the shortening element from the first tilt
orientation to
the second tilt orientation, the tensioning element can thus be shortened. The
dimensions of the shortening element relative to the total length of the ten-
sioning element and the height as well as the diameter of the cell stack have
been selected in such a way that given that the shortening element is in the
second tilt orientation, the tensioning element transmits the tensioning force
mentioned. If the shortening element is in the first tilt orientation, the ten-
sioning force mentioned is not transmitted and typically, no or only a consid-
era bly reduced tensioning force is produced.
A resilient element loadable by pressure can be integrated into the shortening
element which in the second tilt orientation is loaded by a compression force
and therefore produces the tensioning force. A first end of the resilient ele-
ment can for instance be connected with the first connecting element and via
the connecting element with the first partial section. A second end of the re-
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silient element opposite to the first end of the resilient element can accord-
ingly be connected with the second connecting element and via the second
connecting element with the second partial section. By means of these con-
necting elements, the tensioning forces can be transmitted to the first and
5 second partial section of the tensioning element.
The connections with the first and second partial section produced using the
connecting elements can be designed in a manner non-moveable or moveable
along the partial sections. In case of a non-moveable connection, this connec-
tion is typically realized between the first (or second) connecting element
and
a first (or second) terminal section or end of the first (or second) partial
sec-
tion. In case of a moveable, e.g. resting, shiftable and/or scrollable connec-
tion, this connection is typically realized between the first (or second) con-
necting element and a transition section of the tensioning element adjoining
to or merging into the first (or second) partial section of the tensioning ele-
ment. Then, the first partial section and/or the second partial section rests
on
or borders to the respective connecting element, as will be described in
detail
below. The connecting elements can for instance be designed as redirecting
elements, in particular as rolls, roller bows, guide pulley, slide or also as
an-
chorages, brackets, screw- or riveted connections, latching connections or the
like. The connections mentioned can for instance be designed form-fit (an-
chored, looped, riveted, screwed or caught) and/or friction locked (clamped,
screwed, etc.).
If the shortening element of the tensioning element of the second element is
in the second tilt orientation, the first partial section of the tensioning
ele-
ment and the second partial section of the tensioning element overlap each
other in an overlapping area between both stack ends. In the overlapping ar-
ea, the first partial section also extends from the first stack end in the
direc-
tion of the second stack end. Accordingly, the second partial section within
the overlapping area extends from the second stack end in the direction of
the first stack end. In the overlapping area, the first partial section and
the
second partial section thus extend one along the other.
If this overlap of the partial sections of the tensioning element does not
exist,
e.g. in the non-mounted and/or non-tensioned state, the tensioning element
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can have such a total length that it can be slid over the stacked cell units
which may be pre-tensioned using a press or can be connected with both ends
of the cell stack without problems and without the need of being tensioned
itself. Only in a final step, the overlap of the partial sections of the
tensioning
element as described is established, e.g. by a corresponding tilting of the
resil-
ient element in case of the first cell stack. As this is comes along with a
real
shortening of the tensioning element, one can achieve simultaneously that
the tensioning force is established and that the cell units are compressed
against each other.
A further advantage achieved by the overlap of partial sections of the tension-
ing elements is given in that it allows for a spring movement of the
tensioning
element in a simple manner and without a high demand in space. This is for
instance the case with a change in the height of the cell stack, e.g. due to a
thermal expansion of the cell units or a change of the inner pressure of the
cell units. The tensioning element can for instance be effectively shortened
by an enlargement of the overlapping area or be effectively elongated by a
reduction of the overlapping area. With this spring movement, the tensioning
force can be maintained in a very simple manner in an almost constant range,
so that on the one hand, the cell units can always be pressed one onto the
other to the degree required but not too strongly. On the other hand, a dam-
aging of further parts, such as the tensioning element, can be prevented from.
If the overlapping area reduces, the resilient element is compressed. The
resil-
ient element accordingly expands if the overlapping area increases.
As already stressed above, the tensioning element of the cell stack can also
comprise a shortening element for the contraction of this tensioning element.
The resilient element of the tensioning element is loaded with compression
force and produces the tensioning force mentioned to the stack if the short-
ening element is in the second tilting orientation. The at least one resilient
element can also form part of the shortening element, thus be integrated into
the latter. Accordingly, the first connecting element of the shortening
element
is preferably connected to the first end of the at least one resilient element
and the second connecting element of the shortening element is connected to
the second end of the at least one resilient element.
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In a particularly compact embodiment, the at least one resilient element is
arranged in the overlapping area of the tensioning element. The resilient ele-
ment can for instance be situated between the first partial section of the ten-
sioning element and the second partial section of the tensioning element.
In one embodiment, it is provided that the tensioning element comprises an
intermediate section which extends within the overlapping area of the ten-
sioning element between two connecting elements. This intermediate section
connects the first partial section with the second partial section. Here, the
first partial section in a first transition area passes into the intermediate
sec-
tion of the tensioning element mentioned and in turn, the intermediate sec-
tion in a second transition area of the tensioning element passes into the se-
cond partial section. This way, the intermediate section in the transition
area
both overlaps with the first partial section and the second partial section.
Therefore, the first partial section, the intermediate section and the second
partial section together with the transition areas typically form a z-shaped
or
s-shaped arrangement, with the redirection required for this being realized in
the transition areas. During the spring movement described above, the inter-
mediate section between the connecting elements is tightened if the overlap-
ping area is shortened and the intermediate section is lengthened if the over-
lapping area enlarges. The first and second partial sections, the intermediate
area and the transition areas together can for instance form a continuous,
coherent structure which connects both ends of the stack, such as a tension-
ing strap. In this case, the first and second connecting element is typically
moveable along this structure, e.g. slidable or rollable. In the tensioned
state
of the cell stack, the first and the second connecting element typically com-
prise the redirection of the structure inside the transition areas mentioned
beforehand due to the connecting elements which in this case act as deflect-
ing elements. An increase or a reduction of the overlapping area typically cor-
responds to a movement of the first and second connecting element along
this structure, a shift of the locations of the redirections mentioned or of
the
transition areas along this structure and optionally a simultaneous compres-
sion or stretching/decompression of the resilient element. The redirection
described in particular requires a sufficient flexibility, meaning bendability
of
the above-mentioned sections of the tensioning element.
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During the spring movement resulting from the increase or reduction of the
overlapping area, preferably no effective change of length of the mentioned
section of the tensioning element results, thus of the first partial section,
the
second partial section and optionally of the intermediate section, as well as
of
the first and second transition areas. Only a change of length of the
resilient
element is caused, thus a compression or stretching/decompression.
If steel is used as the material for the tensioning element, its tensile
strength
ranges between 900 and 1500 N/ mm. In a typical stack, 20 to 30 kN are allo-
cated to 8 springs. The elastic force of the individual springs thus amounts
to
between about 2.5 and 3.75 kN. With a different amount of springs, their
elastic force has to be adapted accordingly.
The first partial section and/or the second partial section of the tensioning
element are preferably designed as a tensioning strap ¨ either completely or
at least in sections. The tensioning strap mentioned can be a metallic strap,
a
steel strap, a strap from stainless steel or a plastic strap, in particular a
fiber-
reinforced, especially a glass-fiber reinforced or carbon-fiber reinforced
plastic
strap. It is also possible that the first partial section and the second
partial
section have a different design, e.g. with respect to their material and/or to
their structure. It is further possible that the first partial section and/or
the
second partial section along their course between the two ends of the stack
show subsections with different designs, e.g. with respect to their material
and/or to their structure.
The at least one resilient element of the tensioning element mentioned may
be one or several compression springs, such as one or several spiral springs,
one or several flat springs or one or several leg(s) or body/bodies being
elastic
with respect to bending.
In one embodiment, the shortening element comprises at least two resilient
elements which together with the first and the second connecting elements of
the shortening element form an annular arrangement and thus define a cen-
tral passage opening of the shortening element or surround such. Then the
intermediate section of the tensioning element mentioned above may extend
through a central passage opening of the shortening element. In the first tilt-
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ing orientation, the shortening element is then freely moveable along the ten-
sioning element which is typically not or only slightly tensioned. In the
second
tilting orientation, the redirection of the tensioning element described above
is established which causes the overlap of the first partial section with the
second partial section and thus causes the effective shortening of the tension-
ing element and the compression of the cell stack.
In a particular embodiment, the resilient elements are designed as compres-
sion springs, e.g. as spiral springs. The compression springs or spiral
springs
can be guided by one alignment pin each, preferably centrally guided. The at
least one alignment pin is moveable connected with the first and/or the se-
cond connecting element for an elastic movement between the first and the
second connecting element.
The tensioning element typically comprises a fixation element for the fixation
and/or stabilization of the reciprocal overlap of the first and second partial
section of the tensioning element. The fixation element may for instance be
designed in such a way that it fixes, keeps or stabilizes the shortening
element
in the second tilting orientation. The fixation element may for instance be
designed as a clip, a sleeve, a resting element, a metal sheet, a bending
latch,
a screw, a pin or a hook or in such a way that it comprises at least one or
sev-
eral of these elements. In case of a sleeve, this sleeve may stabilize the
first
and the second partial section in the overlapping area and optionally encircle
the shortening element and stabilize it this way.
The fixation element may further be formed from or comprise a partial area of
the tensioning strap of the first or second partial section which partial area
is
deformed with hook-shape. This partial area may for instance realize the func-
tion of a hook, of a clip or of a latch.
For an adaptation of the compression and of the spring tension of the
resilient
element, respectively, the resilient element and/or the shortening element
may comprise a suitably designed fixation and/or adjustment element, e.g. a
screw or a clip. After the production of the above mentioned overlap, the re-
silient element can for instance be set under an extreme first compression
using this fixation and/or adjustment element and subsequently be released
to the elasticity range for the finally desired compression, e.g. by turning
of
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the screw mentioned above or by a removal or release of the above-
mentioned clip.
In one embodiment, the fixation element is arranged at the endplate of the
cell stack. In this case, the overlapping section of the first and second
partial
5 section of the tensioning element directly adjoins to this endplate.
The at least one tensioning element may surround a first endplate of the cell
stack located at the first end of the stack or a second endplate of the cell
stack
located at the second end of the stack. It is also possible that the
tensioning
10 element surrounds both of these endplates. The at least one tensioning
ele-
ment may comprise an annularly closed tensioning strap, which in particular
incorporates the first partial section and the second partial section. In addi-
tion, the annularly closed tensioning strap can incorporate the intermediate
section and the transition areas described beforehand. The annularly closed
tensioning element or tensioning strap, respectively, may comprise two ends
which are connected to each other by welding, brazing, gluing, riveting, hook-
ing, clinching or crimping.
Instead of the surrounding of the endplates as described, it is however also
possible that the first partial section of the tensioning element is fastened
at
the first endplate and that the second partial section of the tensioning ele-
ment is fastened to the second endplate, e.g. by hooking-in, for instance
using
a suspension hook at the first and/or second endplate.
As already mentioned earlier, the cell stack and the cell units may form part
of
a humidifier for an electrochemical system or form part of an electrochemical
system, such as of electrochemical energy storage, of a redox-flow battery of
an electrochemical compressor or of a fuel cell system.
In addition to the description of the structural and functional
characteristics of
the cell stacks proposed as well as of the advantages that they allow for dur-
ing the mounting and compression of such cell stacks, a method for mounting
and compression of such a cell stack as proposed shall be explicitly described
in the following. An optional first step of this method is the establishment
of a
first compression of the cell stack, e.g. by means of a press. Then, the at
least
one tensioning element, which may be annularly closed, is arranged in such a
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way that a first partial section of the tensioning element starts at the first
end
of the stack and extends in the direction of the second end of the stack and
that a second partial section of the tensioning element starts at the second
end of the stack and extends in the direction of the first end of the stack.
In a
subsequent step, the above-described overlap of these two partial sections in
an overlapping area between the two ends of the stack is established and this
way, the tensioning element is shortened and at the same time, the compres-
sion or an elevated first compression of the cell stack is established. This
can
be realized in such a way that the tensioning element surrounds the latter and
shifts from the first tilting orientation to the second tilting orientation.
Tilting
is advantageously realized using a suited tilting device of a production ma-
chine in an automatic way.
The overlap can subsequently be fixed and/or maintained using the fixation
element described. Further a press that might be used can be opened and the
cell stack can be taken out of this press. Finally, the compression effected
us-
ing the resilient element can be reset or adjusted using the fixation and/or
adjustment element, e.g. from an increased first compression to the desired
final compression value, as described above.
In the following, the invention is explained on the basis of the embodiments
schematically shown in figures 1 to 15. It is shown in
Figure 1: A front view of a cell stack according to the
invention,
where a tiltable shortening element is in the second one
of two tilting orientations;
Figure 2: A lateral view of the cell stack shown in figure 1;
Figure 3: A front view of a cell stack according to the
invention,
where a tiltable shortening element is in the first one of
two tilting orientations;
Figure 4: A front view of a further cell stack according to the
inven-
tion, where an alternative tiltable shortening element is
in the second one of two tilting orientations;
Figure 5: A front view of the cell stack shown in figure 4
where the
shortening element is in the first one of two tilting orien-
tations;
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Figures 6 to 8: Partial front views of further cell stacks according
to the
invention where in each figure a tiltable shortening ele-
ment is in the second one of two tilting orientations;
Figure 9: A partial view of a particular embodiment of a
tensioning
element of a cell stack according to the invention where
a shortening element is in the first one of two tilting ori-
entations;
Figure 10: A partial view of a particular further embodiment of
a
tensioning element of a cell stack according to the inven-
tion where a shortening element is in the second one of
two tilting orientations;
Figures 11 to 14: Several particular embodiments of shortening elements
of tensioning elements of cell stacks according to the
invention; and
Figure 15: In four schematic drawings the difference between a
spring loaded with tension and a spring loaded with
compression force both in the 1st and 2' tilting orienta-
tion.
Recurring reference numbers refer to identical or functionally identical char-
acteristics.
A cell stack 1 according to the invention thus comprises a plurality of cell
units
4, such as fuel cells, which are stacked between a first end of stack 2 of the
cell stack 1 and a second end of stack 3 of the cell stack 1, as can be seen
in
the schematic front or lateral view given in figures 1 and 2. The cell stack 1
is
thus part of a fuel cell system. However, the cell units 4 may also form other
electrochemical cells or cells for humidifiers for electrochemical systems.
The
cell stack or the cell units may thus also form part of a humidifier for an
elec-
trochemical system or be part of another electrochemical system, such as of
electrochemical energy storage, of a redox-flow battery, of an electrochemical
compressor or of a fuel cell system.
The cell stack 1 further comprises two tensioning elements 5 of identical de-
sign, although in figure 1, only one of them is visible. With these tensioning
elements, a tensioning force for the compression of the cell units 4 is trans-
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mitted between the first end of stack 2 and the second end of stack 3, in
order
to establish the sealing forces and/or contact forces between the cell units 4
required for the operation of the cell stack 1. Alternative embodiments are
possible with the cell stack 1 comprising only one or more than two tension-
ing elements.
Both tensioning elements 5 of the cell stack have identical construction. The
following description therefore equally relates to both tensioning elements 5.
In figure 2, the left one of the two tensioning elements for the sake of clear-
ness is shown without reference numbers. The tensioning element 5 connects
the two ends of the stack, 2 and 3 and comprises a first partial section 6
which
starts at the first end of stack 2 and extends in the direction of the second
end
of stack 3 as well as a second partial section 7 which starts at the second
end
of stack 3 and extends in the direction of the first end of stack 2. The
partial
sections mentioned are linear. They are designed as partial areas of a tension-
ing strap 8 of the tensioning element 5.
The tensioning strap 8 is a metallic strap, e.g. a steel strap, preferably a
strap
made from spring steel. It could however also be designed as a plastic strap,
in
particular as a fiber-reinforced, especially as a glass-fiber reinforced or
car-
bon-fiber reinforced plastic strap. It is important that the tensioning strap
is as
resistant against stretching as possible. It surrounds a first endplate 9 of
the
cell stack 1 located at the first end of stack 2 as well as a second endplate
10
of the cell stack 1 located at the second end of stack 3. Further, the
tensioning
strap 8 is designed annularly with the two ends 11, 12 of the tensioning strap
8 being connected to each other by welding. The ends 11, 12 can however
also be connected to each other by brazing, gluing, riveting, hooking,
clinching
or crimping.
The tensioning element 5 of the cell stack comprises two resilient elements
13, 14 to be compressed by compression force. However, a different amount
of resilient elements is possible, too. The resilient elements 13, 14 connect
the first partial section 6 with the second partial section 7 and provide for
the
tensioning force. To this end, each of these resilient elements 13, 14 loaded
by compression force exerts a force to the first partial section 6 directed to
the second end of stack 3 and a force to the second partial section directed
to
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the first end of stack 2. These two forces have the same magnitude and are
directed in opposite direction. A first end 15 of a resilient element 13, 14
may
for instance be connected to the first partial section 6 through a first
connect-
ing element 17. Accordingly, a second end 16 of the resilient element oppo-
site to the first end 15 of the resilient element 13, 14 may be connected to
the
second partial section 7 through a second connecting element 18, as becomes
obvious from figure 1. With these connecting elements, the tensioning forces
established by the resilient elements 13, 14 can be transmitted. These con-
nections between the ends 15, 16 of the resilient elements 13, 14 and the
first
and second partial section 6, 7 in this embodiment of the tensioning element
5 and of the connecting elements 17, 18 are designed to be moveable along
the partial sections 7, 6, as will be described in detail below.
The resilient elements 13, 14 and the connecting elements 17, 18 of the ten-
sioning element 5 are part of a shortening element 19 of the tensioning ele-
ment 5. As becomes obvious in a comparison of figure 1 with figure 3, the
shortening element 19 can be tilted between a first tilting orientation shown
in figure 3 and a second tilting orientation shown in figures 1 and 2. In the
first
tilting orientation, the first connecting element 17 and the first end 15 of
the
resilient element 13, 14 point towards the first end of stack 2 while the se-
cond connecting element 18 and the second end 16 of the resilient element
13, 14 point towards the second end of stack 3. In the second tilting orienta-
tion, the first connecting element 17 and the first end 15 of the resilient
ele-
ment 13, 14 point towards the second end of stack 3 while the second con-
necting element 18 and the second end 16 of the resilient element 13, 14
point towards the first end of stack 2. By tilting the shortening element 19
from the first tilting orientation to the second tilting orientation, the
tension-
ing element 5 may thus be shortened. The dimension of the shortening ele-
ment 19 has been chosen in such a way that the tensioning element transmits
an optimal tensioning force if the shortening element 19 is in the second tilt-
ing orientation. In case the shortening element is in the first tilting
orienta-
tion, the tensioning force mentioned is not transmitted and therefore, typical-
ly no or only a considerably reduced tensioning force is produced. In the se-
cond tilting orientation, the resilient elements 13, 14 are loaded with corn-
pression force and therefore produce the tensioning force but not in the first
tilting orientation.
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As can be seen in figure 1, the first partial section 6 of the tensioning
element
5 and the second partial section 7 of the tensioning element 5 overlap with
5 each other in an overlapping area 20 between the first ends of stack 2,
3, if
the shortening element of the tensioning element of the cell stack 1 is in the
second tilting orientation. An increase of the height of the cell stack, e.g.
due
to a thermal expansion of the cell units or to an increase of the inner
pressure
of the cell units leads to a reduction of the overlapping area 20 and to an ef-
10 fective increase of the partial sections 6, 7 of the tensioning element
5. In re-
turn, a reduction of the height of the cell stack causes an increase of the
over-
lapping area 20 and an effective shortening of the tensioning element 5. The
reduction or increase of the overlapping area 20 comes along with a compres-
sion or release of the spring. As a consequence, the tensioning force is main-
15 tamed in an acceptable range. If the overlapping area 20 is reduced, the
resili-
ent elements 13, 14 arranged in the overlapping area 20 between the first and
second partial sections 6, 7 are compressed. Accordingly, the resilient ele-
ments 13, 14 extend if the overlapping area increases. As a consequence, the
tensioning force of the tensioning element 5 remains essentially constant.
If this overlapping of the partial sections 6, 7 of the tensioning element 5
is
not given, for instance as the shortening element is in the first tilting
orienta-
tion, as shown in figure 3, the tensioning element 5 shows such a large total
length that it effectively does not produce any compression of the cell stack
1.
In the example shown in figures 1 to 3, the tensioning element 5 comprises an
intermediate section 21 of the tensioning strap 8 which extends in the over-
lapping area 20 of the tensioning element 5, which connects the first partial
section 6 with the second partial section 7. Here, the first partial section 6
in a
first transition area passes into this intermediate section 21 and the interme-
diate section 21 in a second transition area finally passes into the second
par-
tial section 7. As a consequence, the intermediate section 21 in the overlap-
ping area 20 both overlaps with the first partial section 6 and the second par-
tial section 7. As becomes obvious from figure 1, the first partial section 6,
the
intermediate section 21 and the second partial section 7 together with the
transition areas 22, 23 form a z-shaped or s-shaped arrangement.
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With the elastic movement described above, the intermediate section 21 ad-
ditionally shortens when the overlapping area 20 reduces and the intermedi-
ate section 21 lengthens if the overlapping area increases. To this end, the
first and second connecting element 17, 18 are moveably connected with the
intermediate section 21 along the tensioning strap 8; it can for instance be
shifted or wound. Figure 1 shows the compressed state of the cell stack 1.
Here,the connecting elements 17, 18 cause a redirection of the tensioning
strap 8 within the transition areas 22, 23,namely at the connecting elements
17, 18. An increase or reduction of the overlapping area 20 therefore corre-
sponds to a movement of the first and second connecting element 17, 18
along the tensioning strap 8, to a shift of the locations of the redirections
mentioned and of the transition areas 22, 23 along the tensioning strap 8 and
to a simultaneous compression or stretching of the resilient element 13. 14.
To this end, the tensioning strap additionally is designed as bendable and
flex-
ible but at the same time as resistant against stretching as possible. The con-
necting elements 17, 18 in this example are thus designed as redirecting
rolls,
which rest against the transition areas 22, 23 and delimit the first and the
se-
cond partial sections 6, 7. They could however also be designed as rolls,
roller
bows or guide pulleys.
The further embodiment of the cell stack according to the invention shown in
figures 4 and 5 essentially distinguishes from the example shown in figure 1
only be the design of the tensioning elements 5, in particular by the design
of
the tensioning strap 8 and the connecting elements 17, 18 of the shortening
element 19. In this example, the connecting elements 17, 18 are rigidly, thus
non-moveably connected to the ends 24, 25, of the first and second partial
sections 6, 7. The tensioning strap is thus not annularly closed. The first
and
second partial section 6, 7 therefore are not connected to each other via an
intermediate section 21 of the tensioning strap 8, but only by the tiltable
shortening element 19. In this example, the connecting elements 17, 18 are
anchoring elements, which are tightly anchored in the terminal loops of the
ends 24, 25 of the first and second partial sections 6, 7. As an alternative,
one
could use clips, screwing- or riveting connections or resting connections as
the
connecting elements 17, 18. The tensioning strap 8 extends as a single piece
from connecting element 17 to connecting element 18.
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In figure 4, the shortening element 19 is in the second tilting orientation,
thus,
the compression of the stack has been established. In contrast, in figure 5,
the
shortening element 19 is in the first tilting orientation so that no
compression
results.
The particular embodiments of cell stacks according to the invention shown in
figures 6 to 8 differ from the example shown in figures 4 and 5 essentially
only
by the design of the tensioning elements 5, which in the examples of figures 6
to 8 connect the endplates 9. 10 of the cell stack with each other and exert
tension to them, but they do not surround these endplates. It is for instance
possible that the tensioning straps 8 of the tensioning elements 5 at their
ends are connected to the end plates 9, 10 using latches, which are however
not shown.
In addition, in figures 6 to 8, fixation elements 26 of the tensioning
elements 5
are shown, which are not shown in figures 1 to 5 for the sake of clearness.
The
fixation elements 26 serve for the fixation and stabilization of the
reciprocal
overlap of the first partial section 6 and the second partial section 7 of the
respective tensioning element 5 and have been designed in such a way that
they fix and maintain the respective shortening element 19 in the second tilt-
ing orientation, as is shown in figures 6 to 8.
The fixation element may for instance comprise one or several hook(s) or
latch(es) connected to the first endplate 9. In this embodiment, a sufficient
length of the hook(s) is essential which should account for the maximum in-
crease of the total length of the cell stack 1. The fixation element may for
in-
stance comprise a screw connected to the first endplate 9 as shown in figure 7
or connected to the first and/or second partial section 6, 7 as shown in
figure
8. Such a screw additionally may serve as a fixation and/or adjustment means
27. With this, a fixation point of the resilient element 13, 14 and/or a
tension
of the resilient element 13, 14, may be reset or adjusted.
In figures 9 to 14, several embodiments of shortening elements 19 for cell
stacks according to the invention are given, such as for the examples of cell
stacks shown in figures 1 to 8. The shortening element 19 in figures 1 to 3
may
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thus be designed according to one of the shortening elements 19 given in fig-
ures 9 and 11 to 14. Further, each of the shortening elements 19 shown in
figures 4 to 8 may be designed according to one of the shortening elements
19 given in figures 9 and 11 to 14.
The shortening elements given in figures 9 and 11 to 14 correspond to each
other in view of the fact that each of them comprises two resilient elements
13, 14, which together with the first and second connecting element 17, 18 of
the shortening element 19 form an annular arrangement and define a central
passage opening 28 of the shortening element 19 or enclose such. As in the
embodiment of figures 1 to 3, the intermediate section 21 of the tensioning
element 5 can extend through this central passage opening 28 of the shorten-
ing element 19.
In the example shown in figure 9, the shortening element 19 comprises sever-
al fixation elements 26, namely bending latches arranged at the resilient ele-
ments 13, 14 as well as a partial area of the tensioning strap 8 in the first
par-
tial area 6, which is deformed as a hook in order to provide the function of a
hook, of a clip or of a latch for the fixation of the shortening element 19 in
the
second tilting orientation.
In the shortening elements shown in figures 9 to 14, the resilient elements
13,
14 are designed as compression springs. In figures 9, 13 and 14, they are real-
ized as legs being elastic with respect to bending, in figure 10 as a leaf
spring
and in figures 11 and 12 as spiral springs. The spiral springs additionally
are
each centrally guided by an alignment pin 29, with the alignment pins 29 be-
ing connected to the first and second connecting element, respectively, in a
moveable manner. In figure 12, the shortening element additionally shows a
fixation and/or adjustment element 27 which is designed as a threaded
sleeve. This threaded sleeve allows to adjusting the length of the respective
section of the alignment ping 29, which regulates the compression of the spi-
ral springs.
The connecting elements 17, 18 are designed as redirecting rolls in figure 9
and as roller bows in figures 11 to 13. As shown in figure 10, the first
partial
section 6 and the second partial section 7 along their extension between the
two ends of stack 2, 3 may comprise subsections with different design. In this
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respect, the end 24 of the first partial section 6 is thus designed as a
plastic
strap with fiber reinforcement and the end 25 of the second partial section is
designed as a metal holder, which surrounds the resilient element 13 laterally
if the shortening element 19 is in the second tilting orientation.
The embodiments shown in the figures can be mounted and compressed with
the method described in the following. In order to produce an increased first
compression of the cell stack by means of a press, the tensioning elements 5
are arranged in such a way that the first partial section 6 of the tensioning
element 5 starts at the first end of stack 2 and extends in the direction of
the
second end of stack 3 and that the second partial section 7 of the tensioning
element 5 starts at the second end of stack 3 and extends in the direction of
the first end of stack. With an annularly closed tensioning strap 8 as shown
in
figures 1 to 3, or with an annularly closed tensioning element 5 as shown in
figures 4 and 5, the tensioning element 5 can for instance be dragged over the
end plates 9, 10. In the examples shown in figures 6 to 8, the two partial sec-
tions 6, 7 can be mounted to the end plates 9, 10, e.g. by hooking-in or screw-
ing.
In a subsequent step the overlap described beforehand of the two partial sec-
tions 6 and 7 in the overlapping area 20 between the two ends of the stack is
realized by tilting the shortening element 19 from the first tilting
orientation
to the second tilting orientation, e.g. by means of a tilting device of a
produc-
tion machine constructed to this end. Next, the overlap is fixed using the
fixa-
tion element 26, the press is opened and the cell stack 1 is taken out of the
press. After that, the tension effected by the resilient elements 13, 14 can
be
reset or adjusted by means of the fixation and/or adjustment element 27, e.g.
from an increased first compression to a desired final value of compression.
Figure 15 shows in four schematic drawings the difference between a spring
loaded with tension (A, B), thus a spring arrangement of a conventional cell
stack, and a spring loaded with compression force (C, D), which is in the se-
cond tilting orientation. Both springs are once shown in a situation where a
higher tension (A, C) and in a situation where a lower tension (B, D) is given
in
a cell stack according to the invention. The actual spring loaded with tension
(A, B) is shortened to the same degree between the situation with higher ten-
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sion (A) and the situation with lower tension (B), as the actual spring loaded
with compression force (C, D) is elongated between the situation with higher
tension (C) and the situation with lower tension (D). The figure demonstrates
that with the spring arrangement according to the invention, the same elon-
5 gation/compression of the spring as such allows for a more efficient
compres-
sion/elongation of clamping system of the cell stack using the spring loaded
with compression force in the second tilting orientation than does a clamping
system according to the state of the art using a spring loaded with tension.
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List of reference numbers
1 cell stack
2 first end of stack
3 second end of stack
4 cell unit
5 tensioning element
6 first partial section
7 second partial section
8 tensioning strap
9 first endplate
10 second endplate
11 end of tensioning strap
12 end of tensioning strap
13 resilient element
14 resilient element
15 first end of resilient element
16 second end of resilient element
17 first connecting element
18 second connecting element
19 shortening element
20 overlapping section
21 intermediate section
22 first transition area
23 second transition area
24 end of first partial section
25 end of second partial section
26 fixation element
27 fixation and/or adjusting element
28 passage opening
29 alignment pin
