Automated system for manufacturing part of fuel cell stack

{
  "publication_number": "US2009271023A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Automated system for manufacturing part of fuel cell stack",
  "abstract": "The present invention realizes an automated system which automatically performs all processes including an inputting process, a bonding process, and a punching process using a robot in manufacturing an integrated part of an MEA and GDLs. Accordingly, with the automated system, it is possible to improve productivity and ensure consistent product quality.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An automated system for manufacturing a part of a fuel cell stack, the system comprising: an MEA supply unit for supplying an MEA; a GDL supply unit arranged in parallel to the MEA supply unit for supplying a GDL; a hot press for compressing and bonding the MEA supplied from the MEA supply unit and the GDL supplied from the GDL supply unit at a high temperature and a high pressure; a punching press for cutting the bonded MEA and GDL into a predetermined size; and a robot for transferring the MEA of the MEA supply unit and the GDL of the GDL supply unit to the hot press, and transferring the bonded MEA and GDL from the hot press to the punching press.",
    "2. The system of claim 1, wherein an elevator device is provided in the MEA supply unit for elevating MEAs stacked in the MEA supply unit according as the MEA is supplied to the working area of the hot press.",
    "3. The system of claim 2, wherein the elevator device comprises an elevating plate including a screw bar for a screw drive and supporting the stacked MEAs thereon, a vertical screw shaft screw-connected through the screw bar, a motor and a belt drive for driving the screw shaft.",
    "4. The system of claim 1, wherein an elevator device is provided in the GDL supply unit for elevating GDLs stacked in the GDL supply unit according as the GDL is supplied to the working area of the hot press.",
    "5. The system of claim 4, wherein the elevator device comprises an elevating plate including a screw bar for a screw drive and supporting the stacked GDLs thereon, a vertical screw shaft screw-connected through the screw bar, a motor and a belt drive for driving the screw shaft.",
    "6. An automated system for manufacturing a part of a fuel cell stack, the system comprising: an MEA supply unit for supplying an MEA; a first GDL supply unit arranged in parallel to the MEA supply unit for supplying a GDL; a second GDL supply unit arranged in parallel to the first GDL supply unit for supplying a GDL; a hot press for compressing and bonding the MEA supplied from the MEA supply unit and the GDLs supplied from the first and second GDL supply units at a high temperature and a high pressure; a punching press for cutting each of the bonded MEA and GDL received from the hot press into a predetermined size; and a first robot for transferring the MEA of the MEA supply unit and the GDL of the first GDL supply unit to the hot press; and a second robot for transferring the MEA of the MEA supply unit and the GDL of the second GDL supply unit to the hot press and transferring the bonded MEA and GDL received from the hot press to the punching press.",
    "7. The system of claim 6, wherein the hot press comprises a first hot press and a second hot press arranged.",
    "8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first and second hot presses are arranged in parallel to each other or in series.",
    "9. The system of claim 6, wherein an elevator device is provided in the MEA supply unit for elevating MEAs stacked in the MEA supply unit according as the MEA is supplied to the working area of the hot press.",
    "10. The system of claim 9, wherein the elevator device comprises an elevating plate including a screw bar for a screw drive and supporting the stacked MEAs thereon, a vertical screw shaft screw-connected through the screw bar, a motor and a belt drive for driving the screw shaft.",
    "11. The system of claim 6, wherein an elevator device is provided in each of the first and second GDL supply units for elevating GDLs stacked in the first and second GDL supply units according as the GDL is supplied to the working area of the hot press.",
    "12. The system of claim 11, wherein the elevator device comprises an elevating plate including a screw bar for a screw drive and supporting the stacked GDLs thereon, a vertical screw shaft screw-connected through the screw bar, a motor and a belt drive for driving the screw shaft."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "(a) Technical Field\n\nThe present invention relates to an automated system for manufacturing a part of a fuel cell stack. More particularly, the present invention relates to an automated system for manufacturing an integrated MEA/GDL part of a fuel cell stack.\n\n(b) Background Art\n\nA fuel cell is a zero-emission power generation system and has attracted attention as a next generation green energy generation system.\n\nA power generation system using the fuel cell has advantages in that it can be used in various fields such as a stationary power plant in a large building, a power source of an electric vehicle, a portable power supply, etc., and it can use various fuels such as natural gas, city gas, naphtha, methanol, waste gas, etc.\n\nThe fuel cells are classified into a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC), a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC), a phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC), an alkaline fuel cell (AFC), etc, according to the electrolyte.\n\nAmong the above-mentioned fuel cells, PEFC has been intensively studied for some reasons. For example, PEFC has no problems of corrosion or evaporation due to the electrolyte and obtains a high current density per unit area since it uses a solid polymer as an electrolyte. Moreover, PEFC produces a remarkably high output and can be operated in a low temperature compared with the other fuel cells.\n\nNormally, PEFC has an output voltage of about 1 V per unit cell.",
  "cpc": [
    "H01M 8/0297",
    "H01M 2008/1095",
    "H01M 8/023",
    "H01M 8/04",
    "H01M 8/1004",
    "Y02E 60/50",
    "Y02P 70/50",
    "Y10T 156/1317",
    "Y10T 156/1746",
    "Y10T 156/1761",
    "Y10T 156/1776",
    "Y10T 156/1778",
    "Y10T 156/1783",
    "Y10T 29/5176"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B23P 23/00",
    "B29C 65/00",
    "G06F 19/00",
    "B29C 65/02",
    "B29C 65/74",
    "B32B 38/04",
    "H01M 8/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Hyundai Motor Co",
    "Kia Motors Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Jin Ho Lee"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2008-11-14",
  "publication_date": "2009-10-29",
  "priority_date": "2008-04-23",
  "application_number": "US-27116908-A",
  "family_id": "41215787",
  "cited_by_count": 11,
  "citations": [
    "US20070116999A1"
  ]
}