DE202023104068U1 - Seal arrangement and plate stack arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

Sealing arrangement (114) for sealing a space (101) located in a plate stack arrangement (102), wherein the plate stack arrangement (102) can be, for example, a fuel cell stack (106) or a part of a fuel cell stack (106) and the space (101) can be a space (101) located therein, wherein the sealing arrangement (114) comprises the following:
- a sealing element (116) for delimiting the space (101) in at least one direction, and
- a compression protection unit (118) for protecting the sealing element (116) against irreversible deformation during compression of the plate stack arrangement (102) along a plate stack longitudinal axis (120).

Description

The present invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology. It particularly relates to plate stack arrangements, e.g. in the form of a fuel cell stack, which can withstand strong forces particularly well.

The documents US 2020/0388858 A1 , WO 2019/076813 A1 , US 2021/0194019 A1 and US 2022/0037680 A1 also concern the field of fuel cell technology. However, the technical teachings described therein do not offer completely satisfactory solutions, particularly in the case of strong forces that can occur in motor vehicles, for example in accidents caused by strong decelerations. The same applies to stationary applications, e.g. for forces acting during earthquakes.

The present invention is based on the object of providing a plate stack arrangement, e.g. in the form of a fuel cell stack, and components therefor that are easy to manufacture and durable and safe even when subjected to strong forces. In particular, they should withstand forces acting along the longitudinal axis of the plate stack particularly well.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the sealing arrangement according to the relevant independent protection claim.

The sealing arrangement is a sealing arrangement for sealing a space in a plate stack arrangement.

The plate stack assembly may be any plate stack assembly in which there is a need to seal a space within the plate stack assembly.

Preferably, the plate stack arrangement can be a fuel cell stack, a part of a fuel cell stack, an electrolysis cell stack, a part of an electrolysis cell stack, a heat exchanger plate stack or a part of a heat exchanger plate stack.

Electrolysis cell stacks are known to be installed in electrolyzers, which are used in particular for the electrochemical decomposition of water into hydrogen and oxygen. Heat exchanger plate stacks are known to be installed in plate heat exchangers, which are often colloquially referred to as plate heat exchangers or plate coolers.

The plate stack assembly may, for example, be a fuel cell stack or part of a fuel cell stack.

The space may be a space located in the fuel cell stack or the part of the fuel cell stack, in the electrolysis cell stack or the part of the electrolysis cell stack, in the heat exchanger plate stack or the part of the heat exchanger plate stack.

For example, the plate stack assembly may be a fuel cell stack or part of a fuel cell stack and the space may be a space therein.

• - ein Dichtelement zur Begrenzung des Raumes in wenigstens eine Richtung, und
• - eine Kompressionsschutzeinheit zum Schutz des Dichtelements vor einer irreversiblen Verformung bei einer Kompression der Plattenstapelanordnung entlang einer Plattenstapellängsachse.

The sealing arrangement may in particular comprise:

• - a sealing element for delimiting the space in at least one direction, and
• - a compression protection unit for protecting the sealing element against irreversible deformation during compression of the plate stack arrangement along a plate stack longitudinal axis.

In addition to this compression protection unit, the sealing arrangement can of course comprise another compression protection unit or several other compression protection units.

The term “in particular” is used in this description and the appended claims to describe optional features.

The sealing element can be particularly suitable for delimiting the space in at least one direction. It can be advantageous if the sealing element can surround the space or part of the space.

The space can in particular be a plate gap which lies between plates of the plate stack arrangement.

Especially if the space is the space between the panels, the sealing element can surround the space.

The space can be a feedthrough space extending through at least one plate of the plate stack arrangement. The feedthrough space can, for example, extend through at least one feedthrough opening of at least one plate of the plate stack arrangement.

If the space is the feedthrough space, the sealing element can surround a part of the feedthrough space, e.g. in a ring shape.

It may be advantageous if the sealing arrangement comprises a first sealing element and a second sealing element, wherein the first sealing element can surround a space between the plates and the second sealing element can surround at least part of a feedthrough space.

The second sealing element can be arranged between the space between the plates and the feedthrough space and can completely or partially separate the space between the plates from the feedthrough space. The second sealing element can have at least one passage through which a fluid-conducting connection can be created or exists between the space between the plates and the feedthrough space.

The compression protection unit included in the sealing arrangement is a compression protection unit for protecting the sealing element from irreversible deformation during compression of the plate stack arrangement along a plate stack longitudinal axis.

If the sealing arrangement comprises the first sealing element and the second sealing element, the compression protection unit is in particular a compression protection unit for protecting the first sealing element and the second sealing element from irreversible deformation upon compression of the plate stack arrangement along the plate stack longitudinal axis.

When reference is made herein to “a sealing element” or “the sealing element”, this may mean, for example, the first and/or the second sealing element, each independently of the other.

The sealing element can preferably be a sealing element which is reversibly deformable in the case of a weaker compression of the plate stack arrangement along the plate stack longitudinal axis and irreversibly deformable in the case of a stronger compression of the plate stack arrangement along the plate stack longitudinal axis.

If the plate stack arrangement is compressed along the plate stack longitudinal axis, the sealing element within the plate stack arrangement can be compressed in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis. If the plate stack arrangement is strongly compressed along the plate stack longitudinal axis, the sealing element can be strongly compressed along the plate stack longitudinal axis.

During regular operation of a device, e.g. a motor vehicle, in which the plate stack arrangement is installed, only small forces occur along the plate stack's longitudinal axis, so that the sealing element is only compressed relatively weakly. This can typically lead to reversible deformation of the sealing element.

If the device, e.g. the motor vehicle, in which the plate stack arrangement is installed is subjected to particularly strong accelerations or decelerations, e.g. in the event of an accident, large forces or force components can act along the plate stack's longitudinal axis. The compression of the plate stack arrangement along the plate stack's longitudinal axis can be correspondingly greater, so that irreversible deformation of the sealing element can occur.

The compression protection unit can in particular be a compression protection unit for protecting the sealing element against irreversible deformation in the event of compression of the plate stack arrangement along the plate stack longitudinal axis occurring in the event of an accident.

The compression protection unit can be a single compression protection unit. The single compression protection unit can provide protection for the sealing element in particular without a corresponding additional compression protection (sub)unit. The compression protection unit can rise from a plate plane of a plate of the plate stack arrangement towards an adjacent plate of the plate stack arrangement.

It is preferred if the compression protection unit has two compression protection subunits. At least one of the two compression protection subunits can, for example, rise from a plate plane of at least one plate in the direction of the other compression protection subunit or into the other compression protection subunit. The other compression protection subunit can, for example, rise from a plate plane of an adjacent plate.

Any sealing element that can limit the space in at least one direction can be considered as a sealing element.

In particular, any sealing element which can surround the space or at least part of the space can be considered as a sealing element.

Experts are aware of various sealing elements and materials suitable for their manufacture, which are suitable for sealing a space in a plate stack arrangement, e.g. the described space between the plates or the described feedthrough space.

It can be advantageous if the sealing element has a sealing bead.

The sealing bead can be a perimeter bead. The perimeter bead can delimit the space, in particular the space between the panels, from the surroundings of the panel stack arrangement.

The sealing bead can be a port bead. The port bead can surround at least part of the feedthrough space. The port bead can, for example, delimit at least part of the feedthrough space and, for example, separate it from a space between the panels.

The sealing bead is preferably formed from a plate of the plate stack arrangement.

The sealing bead can, for example, be formed from a separator plate of the fuel cell stack.

It can be advantageous if the sealing element has two sealing beads facing each other. The two sealing beads facing each other can be formed from two adjacent plates of the plate stack arrangement.

Advantageously, each of the two sealing beads can be formed from one of the adjacent plates and can rise towards the other sealing bead from the respective plate plane of the respective plate. For example, each of the two sealing beads can be formed from one of the adjacent separator plates and can rise towards the other sealing bead from the respective plate plane of the separator plate.

The term plate plane refers in particular to a plane aligned orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the plate stack, which can extend, for example, centrally through an associated plate, e.g. through connection zones in which two plate elements of a plate can be connected to one another.

It can be particularly advantageous if the compression protection unit has a first compression protection element and a second compression protection element.

• - ein Sickenelement aufweist; und/oder
• - eine mehrlagige Kompressionsschutzzone aufweist; und/oder
• - ein Erhebungselement und ein Vertiefungselement aufweist, wobei ein Teil einer Erhebung des Erhebungselements in eine Vertiefung des Vertiefungselements aufgenommen ist.

It can be particularly advantageous if the compression protection unit

• - has a beading element; and/or
• - has a multi-layer compression protection zone; and/or
• - has a raised element and a recessed element, wherein a part of a raised element of the raised element is received in a recess of the recessed element.

The compression protection unit can have the bead element. Alternatively or additionally, the compression protection unit can have the multi-layer compression protection zone. Alternatively or additionally, the compression protection unit can have the elevation element and the recess element, wherein a part of an elevation of the elevation element is received in a recess of the recess element.

It can be advantageous if the compression protection unit has the bead element and the bead element is formed from one or the plate of the plate stack arrangement. The bead element can be formed, for example, from one or the separator plate of the fuel cell stack. The bead element can preferably be formed from the plate of the plate stack arrangement from which the sealing bead or at least one sealing bead is also formed.

Preferably, at least one compression protection unit or at least a part or at least a section of the at least one compression protection unit is arranged or formed in an edge zone. The edge zone extends from the sealing element to an edge. The edge limits the surface area of one or the plate of the plate stack arrangement. In particular, the edge can limit the surface area of the plate of the plate stack arrangement on which the at least one compression protection unit is arranged or from which the at least one compression protection unit is formed.

The statement that a feature of the sealing arrangement, e.g. a sealing bead or a bead element, is formed from a plate or a separator plate can in particular mean that the feature of the sealing arrangement, e.g. the sealing bead or the bead element, is formed from a plate element of the plate or the separator plate.

As explained in more detail herein, particularly in connection with the plate stack arrangement according to the invention, a plate, e.g. a separator plate, can have two plate elements that are indirectly or directly, e.g. directly, connected to one another.

Preferably, the bead element can form at least one of the two compression protection elements.

It is preferred if the bead element forms the first compression protection element and the second compression protection element.

Preferably, the first compression protection element and the second compression protection element are arranged such that when the plate stack arrangement is compressed along the plate stack longitudinal axis, compression of the first compression protection element begins before compression of the second compression protection element begins.

It is preferred if the bead element has two flanks of different heights and the higher flank forms the first compression protection element or extends to the first compression protection element.

It is particularly preferred if the bead element has two flanks of different heights and the higher flank forms the first compression protection element or extends to the first compression protection element and the lower flank forms the second compression protection element or extends to the second compression protection element.

Preferably, a more raised zone of the bead element can form the first compression protection element and a less raised zone of the bead element can form the second compression protection element. The more raised zone can be more raised from a plate plane of a plate than the less raised zone. The plate can be the plate from which the bead element is or can be formed.

This can cause compression of the first compression protection element to begin during compression of the plate stack arrangement along the plate stack longitudinal axis before compression of the second compression protection element can begin.

Advantageously, the first compression protection element and the second compression protection element can be designed such that when the plate stack arrangement is compressed along the plate stack longitudinal axis, a compression of the second compression protection element requires a higher force wall and/or energy expenditure than a compression of the first compression protection element.

The amount of force required to compress the respective compression protection element can be measured by increasing a force acting on the respective compression protection element along the longitudinal axis of the plate stack until the respective compression protection element begins to compress. To do this, a flat surface of a test body can be pressed onto a section of the compression protection element with increasing force.

The compression of the second compression protection element requires a greater effort if, after compression of the first compression protection element has begun, compression of the second protection element begins and a greater effort of force is required at the start of compression of the second compression protection element than at the start of compression of the first compression protection element.

Preferably, the compression of the second compression protection element can require at least twice as much effort, in particular at least four times as much effort, e.g. a force wall at least eight times as large, than a compression of the first compression protection element.

Preferably, the compression of the second compression protection element may require at least twice as much energy expenditure, in particular at least four times as much energy expenditure, e.g. at least eight times as much energy expenditure, than a compression of the first compression protection element.

The energy required for the respective compression of one of the compression protection elements can be determined by integrating the force required for the compression over the compression distance. The energy required for the compression of the first compression protection element can in particular be the energy required for the compression of the first compression protection element until compression of the second compression protection element begins.

The energy expenditure required for the compression of the second compression protection element can be the energy expenditure required for a further compression of the second compression protection element after the compression of the first compression protection element has taken place.

It may be advantageous if the first compression protection element and the second compression protection element are designed and/or arranged such that when the plate stack arrangement is compressed along the plate stack longitudinal axis, compression of at least the first compression protection element begins before irreversible deformation of the sealing element occurs.

It may be preferred if, during compression of the plate stack arrangement along the plate stack longitudinal axis, a compression of the first and a compression of the second compression protection element begins before an irreversible deformation of the sealing element occurs.

It is readily possible for those skilled in the art to determine the compression of the plate stack arrangement along the plate stack longitudinal axis at which irreversible deformation of the sealing element begins. It is also readily possible for those skilled in the art to adapt the height and shape of a compression protection element to the sealing element in such a way that compression of at least the first compression protection element begins before irreversible deformation of the sealing element occurs, or that compression of the first and compression of the second compression protection element begins before irreversible deformation of the sealing element occurs.

It may be preferred if the first compression protection element and the second compression protection element are designed such that when the plate stack arrangement is compressed along the plate stack longitudinal axis, a reversible deformation of the sealing element begins before compression of the two compression protection elements occurs.

It may be preferred if the beading element forms at least one of several compression protection elements and an absorption material arranged on a surface of the beading element forms another of several compression protection elements.

It may be preferred if the bead element forms at least the first compression protection element and an absorption material arranged on a surface of the bead element forms the second compression protection element.

It may be preferred if the beading element forms at least the second compression protection element and an absorption material arranged on a surface of the beading element forms the first compression protection element.

The absorption material can be arranged on an inner surface of the beading element.

The absorption material can be arranged on an outer surface of the beading element.

It can be advantageous if the beading element forms a first of several compression protection elements, e.g. forms the first compression protection element, and an absorption material arranged on an inner surface of the beading element forms a further one of several compression protection elements, in particular a second one of several compression protection elements, e.g. forms the second compression protection element.

It can be advantageous if the bead element forms at least one of several compression protection elements, in particular a second of several compression protection elements, e.g. the second compression protection element, and an absorption material arranged on an outer surface of the bead element forms a first of several compression protection elements, e.g. the first compression protection element.

The absorption material arranged on the inner surface of the bead element can occupy a part of the recess of the bead element leading to the inner surface of the bead element.

The absorption material arranged on the inner surface of the bead element can completely occupy a recess of the bead element leading to the inner surface of the bead element.

The sealing bead can have several walls. Preferably, two of the walls of the sealing element are inclined differently to the longitudinal axis of the plate stack. It can be particularly preferred if two of the walls are inclined in opposite directions to the longitudinal axis of the plate stack. It can be particularly preferred if two of the walls are inclined in opposite directions and to the same extent to the longitudinal axis of the plate stack. A third wall of the sealing bead can connect the two other walls.

The two walls of the sealing bead, which are inclined at different angles to the longitudinal axis of the plate stack, can form flanks or legs of the sealing bead. The flanks or legs of the sealing bead can be connected via the third wall.

The third wall of the sealing bead can be aligned orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the plate stack.

The sealing bead can be a full bead or can include a full bead.

The sealing bead can be a half-bead or can include a half-bead.

The bead element can have several walls, preferably at least three walls. Two of the walls of the bead element can be inclined differently to the longitudinal axis of the plate stack. These two walls of the bead element can be inclined in opposite directions to the longitudinal axis of the plate stack. These two walls of the bead element can be inclined in opposite directions and to the same extent to the longitudinal axis of the plate stack. These two walls of the bead element can form flanks or legs of the bead element. A third wall of the bead element can connect the two flanks or legs.

It can be advantageous if the third wall of the bead element is not aligned orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the plate stack.

It can be advantageous if a recess is formed in a wall of the bead element, e.g. in the third wall of the bead element. The recess can be formed in the same direction or in the opposite direction to the bead element.

If the recess is formed in the same direction as the bead element, this can in particular mean that an inner surface of the bead element merges into an inner surface of the recess.

If the recess is formed in the opposite direction to the bead element, the recess can extend from an outer surface of the bead element into the bead element.

It can be advantageous if the compression protection element is a compression protection component that can be inserted between plates of a plate stack arrangement, between which the space can be located. The compression protection component can be a sheet metal, for example.

• - lose einlegbar,
• - mit einer Dichtung, z. B. in Form einer Rahmenfolie, verbunden oder verbindbar, oder
• - an einer Plattenoberfläche einer Platte der Plattenstapelanordnung festlegbar oder festgelegt

sein.The compression protection component can e.g.

• - can be inserted loosely,
• - connected or connectable to a seal, e.g. in the form of a frame foil, or
• - can be fixed or fixed to a plate surface of a plate of the plate stack arrangement

be.

The compression protection component can represent a second compression protection element as described herein, which preferably cannot be compressed or can only be compressed with extremely high force.

• - das Dichtelement wenigstens einen breiteren und wenigstens einen schmaleren Dichtelement-Abschnitt aufweist, wobei eine Breite des Dichtelements in dem breiteren Dichtelement-Abschnitt größer ist als eine Breite des Dichtelements in dem schmaleren Dichtelement-Abschnitt; und/oder
• - die Kompressionsschutzeinheit wenigstens einen breiteren und wenigstens einen schmaleren Kompressionsschutzeinheit-Abschnitt aufweist, wobei eine Breite der Kompressionsschutzeinheit in dem breiteren Kompressionsschutzeinheit-Abschnitt größer ist als eine Breite der Kompressionsschutzeinheit in dem schmaleren Kompressionsschutzeinheit-Abschnitt; und/oder
• - das Dichtelement wenigstens einen höheren und wenigstens einen niedrigeren Dichtelement-Abschnitt aufweist, wobei eine Höhe des Dichtelements in dem höheren Dichtelement-Abschnitt größer ist als eine Breite des Dichtelements in dem niedrigeren Dichtelement-Abschnitt; und/oder
• - die Kompressionsschutzeinheit wenigstens einen höheren und wenigstens einen niedrigeren Kompressionsschutzeinheit-Abschnitt aufweist, wobei eine Höhe der Kompressionsschutzeinheit in dem höheren Kompressionsschutzeinheit-Abschnitt größer ist als eine Höhe der Kompressionsschutzeinheit in dem niedrigeren Kompressionsschutzeinheit-Abschnitt.

It can be advantageous if

• - the sealing element has at least one wider and at least one narrower sealing element section, wherein a width of the sealing element in the wider sealing element section is greater than a width of the sealing element in the narrower sealing element section; and/or
• - the compression protection unit has at least one wider and at least one narrower compression protection unit section, wherein a width of the compression protection unit in the wider compression protection unit section is greater than a width of the compression protection unit in the narrower compression protection unit section; and/or
• - the sealing element has at least one higher and at least one lower sealing element section, wherein a height of the sealing element in the higher sealing element section is greater than a width of the sealing element in the lower sealing element section; and/or
• - the compression protection unit has at least one higher and at least one lower compression protection unit section, wherein a height of the compression protection unit in the higher compression protection unit section is greater than a height of the compression protection unit in the lower compression protection unit section.

A section of the sealing element is referred to herein as a sealing element section.

A compression protection unit section is referred to herein as a section of the compression protection unit.

Widths of the sealing element or the compression protection unit can be measured in the respective section orthogonally to the main extension direction of the sealing element or the compression protection unit there and parallel to the respective plate plane, e.g. in the respective plate plane. The width can preferably be a width that can be measured at the base of the sealing element or the compression protection unit.

The height of the sealing element or the compression protection unit is measured in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plate stack.

It can be advantageous if the compression protection unit has the multi-layer compression protection zone.

It can be particularly advantageous if the compression protection unit has the multi-layer compression protection zone, wherein at least a portion of the multi-layer compression protection zone is arranged or formed in the edge zone.

It may be preferred if the at least one section of the multi-layer compression protection zone in the edge zone is at least partially formed from the plate or the plate element.

Preferably, a first and a second layer of the multi-layer compression protection zone can be formed by the same plate. Both layers can extend from an edge that limits the surface area of the plate. It is preferred if the sealing bead is formed from a first of the two layers and the second of the two layers extends from the edge in the direction of the sealing bead. Advantageously, the second layer, which extends from the edge in the direction of the sealing bead, cannot reach as far as the sealing bead.

It may be advantageous if the multi-layer compression protection zone of the compression protection unit has the first compression protection element and the second compression protection element.

It may be advantageous if a multi-layer compression protection zone is formed on one portion of the edge and no multi-layer compression protection zone is formed on another portion of the edge.

It can be particularly advantageous if one section of the multi-layer compression protection zone is wider than another section of the multi-layer compression protection zone. It can be preferred if in the wider section of the multi-layer compression protection zone the second of the layers extends further from the edge in the direction of the sealing element than in the other section of the multi-layer compression protection zone.

It may be preferred if the wider section or the other less wide section of the multi-layer compression protection zone forms the first compression protection element. For example, the wider section of the multi-layer compression protection zone can form the first compression protection element and the other less wide section of the multi-layer compression protection zone can form the second compression protection element. Alternatively, the wider section of the multi-layer compression protection zone can form the second compression protection element and the other less wide section of the multi-layer compression protection zone can form the first compression protection element.

A material can be arranged in the multi-layer compression protection zone. The material can be a filling material and/or an absorption material. The material, e.g. the filling material or the absorption material, can contain a plastic material or can be a plastic material. The material can have pores.

The material, e.g. the absorption material or the filling material, can be arranged between the first and the second layer of the multi-layer compression protection zone or can extend into a region of the multi-layer compression protection zone present between the first and the second layer of the multi-layer compression protection zone.

The first and the second layer of the multi-layer compression protection zone can be formed by the same plate, e.g. by flanging, whereby both layers extend from the edge delimiting the surface area of the plate, e.g. the flanged edge.

The first and the second layer of the multi-layer compression protection zone can be formed by the same plate element of the plate, e.g. by flanging, wherein both layers of the plate element extend from the edge delimiting the surface area of the plate, e.g. flanged edge.

The described design options for compression protection units with multi-layer compression protection zones, where a multi-layer compression protection zone is formed on one section of the edge and no multi-layer compression protection zone is formed on another section of the edge and/or where one section of the multi-layer compression protection zone is wider than another section of the multi-layer compression protection zone, have proven to be particularly advantageous with regard to flanging, since the sections without a multi-layer compression protection zone or with a narrower multi-layer compression protection zone make flanging easier. In particular, it was shown that any distortion of plates that can result from flanging can be particularly low and thus ultimately particularly precise plate stack arrangements with reliable sealing of the spaces located therein can be obtained.

It can be particularly advantageous if the two layers extend from the edge that delimits the surface area of the plate, with at least one section of one of the two layers being inclined to another section of the other of the two layers. The angle of inclination that the two layers assume in relation to one another in these two sections can be, for example, at least 5°, in particular at least 8°, e.g. at least 12°. The angle of inclination that the two layers assume in relation to one another in these two sections can be, for example, at most 70°, in particular at most 60°, e.g. at most 45°.

A first compression protection element can be formed where the two layers are further apart from each other. The second compression protection element can be formed where the two layers are closer together.

At least one of the two layers can be coated. At least one of the two layers can preferably be coated on a surface facing the other layer. The coating can be applied before flanging.

Both layers can be coated. The two layers can be coated on surfaces facing each other.

At least one of the two layers can be coated on both sides.

Both layers can be coated on both sides.

By specifically adjusting the thickness of the coatings and by specifically selecting the number of coatings, the thickness of the multi-layer compression protection zone can be specifically adjusted. In particular, it can be specifically adjusted so that when the plate stack arrangement is compressed along the plate stack's longitudinal axis, irreversible deformation of the sealing element is reliably prevented by the areas in which multi-layer compression protection zones of adjacent plates are present abutting against one another before irreversible deformation of the sealing element can occur.

It may be advantageous if the compression protection unit has the elevation element and the recess element, wherein a part of an elevation of the elevation element is received in a recess of the recess element.

The raised element and the recessed element can each be a beaded element.

The recess element can be a recess element of both plate elements of a plate, in which the two plate elements of a plate can be bent in the same direction.

The raised element can rise from an adjacent plate into the recessed element.

• - wenn eine Erhebungshöhe der Erhebung größer ist als eine Vertiefungstiefe der Vertiefung und/oder
• - wenn Flanken der Erhebung in der Vertiefung zu Flanken der Vertiefung beabstandet sind, wobei die Flanken der Erhebung in der Vertiefung zu Flanken der Vertiefung z. B. so beabstandet sein können, dass die Flanken der Erhebung sich zu den Flanken der Vertiefung hin spreizen können.

It may be preferable

• - if a height of the elevation is greater than a depth of the depression and/or
• - if flanks of the elevation in the depression are spaced apart from flanks of the depression, whereby the flanks of the elevation in the depression can be spaced apart from flanks of the depression, for example, in such a way that the flanks of the elevation can spread out towards the flanks of the depression.

It may be particularly preferred if the elevation height of the elevation is greater than the depression depth of the depression and if flanks of the elevation in the depression are spaced from flanks of the depression.

This can make it possible, for example, for the compression protection unit to particularly efficiently prevent irreversible deformation of the sealing element when the plate stack arrangement is compressed along a plate stack longitudinal axis. If such compression occurs along the plate stack longitudinal axis, the elevation can move into the depression. In addition, the flanks of the elevation can spread in the depression so that an additional spring effect can develop, which can protect the sealing element from irreversible deformation.

In particular, a part of a force acting along the longitudinal axis of the plate stack, which could lead to an irreversible deformation of the sealing element, can ultimately instead lead to the spreading of the flanks of the raised element accommodated in the recess.

It may be advantageous if the compression protection unit defines a first elevation zone and a second elevation zone, wherein the compression protection unit in the first elevation zone and in the second elevation zone is raised in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis relative to a base section of the sealing arrangement, wherein the base section is preferably between between the sealing element and the compression protection unit.

It is preferred if the compression protection unit has the bead element and the bead element defines at least one of the two elevation zones, wherein a further bead element or the same bead element can define a further of the two elevation zones.

The compression protection unit may include the bead element and the bead element may define one of the two elevation zones, wherein a further bead element may define another of the two elevation zones.

The compression protection unit may include the bead element and the bead element may define one of the two elevation zones and the other of the two elevation zones.

For example, a first portion of a bead element may define one of the two elevation zones and another portion of the same bead element may define the other of the two elevation zones.

It can be advantageous if the compression protection unit has a plateau zone that is raised relative to a base section of the sealing arrangement. The plateau zone can preferably be formed by elevation zones that merge into one another. The elevation zones can, for example, merge continuously into one another and thus form a plateau zone that extends continuously over several elevation zones.

In addition to this plateau zone, the compression protection unit can have one or more further plateau zones. The plateau zone or the plateau zones can preferably take up 5 to 95%, particularly preferably 10 to 85% of the edge zone, e.g. 20 to 75% of the edge zone. Any sunken intermediate sections that may be present are included in the area of the respective plateau zone.

It can be advantageous if the compression protection unit has an intermediate section between the first elevation zone and the second elevation zone. It can be advantageous if the plateau zone extends around an intermediate section sunk into the plateau zone.

The recessed intermediate section can have any shape. It can have a greater extent in an extension direction of the sealing element than transversely to this extension direction in the direction from the sealing element to the edge.

It is preferred if the recessed intermediate section bends alternately in one direction and in the opposite direction along an extension direction of the intermediate section.

The recessed intermediate section can optionally run straight between the alternating bends.

The sunken intermediate section can preferably run in a meandering manner in the plateau zone.

The plateau zone can preferably extend around a plurality of intermediate sections sunk into the plateau zone. The plateau zone can preferably have at least 4, particularly preferably at least 6, e.g. at least 10, sunk intermediate sections.

The compression protection unit may not be raised in the intermediate section in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plate stack relative to the base section. Alternatively, the intermediate section may define an intermediate raised zone in which the intermediate section is raised in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plate stack relative to the base section, wherein the compression protection unit is raised more strongly in the first raised zone and in the second raised zone in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plate stack than the intermediate section, or wherein the compression protection unit is raised more strongly in the plateau zone in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plate stack than the intermediate section sunk into the plateau zone or than the intermediate sections sunk into the plateau zone.

Preferably, an intermediate height of the compression protection unit at the first or second elevation zone that can be measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plate stack from the intermediate section can be 10% to 99.8%, preferably 50% to 99%, further preferably 65% to 98.5%, e.g. 75% to 98%, of a base height of the compression protection unit at the same elevation zone that can be measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plate stack from the base section.

It may be advantageous if the bead element has flanks of different heights or the bead elements have flanks of different heights or the plateau zone has flanks of different heights, the number of flanks preferably being at least four, it being preferred if a higher flank, which extends from the base section, is more flatly inclined than a less high flank, which extends from the intermediate section, a smaller angle of inclination of the more flatly inclined higher flank can preferably be 15° to 70° and a The greater angle of inclination of the steeper, less high flank can preferably be 20° to 90°. The greater angle of inclination of the steeper, less high flank can be at least 5°, preferably at least 7°, particularly preferably at least 9° greater than the smaller angle of inclination of the more flatly inclined, higher flank.

When reference is made herein to an angle of inclination of a flank, this means an angle with respect to a plane oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the plate stack, e.g. a plate plane.

The inclination angle of a flank can preferably be measured where the respective flank has the greatest inclination.

Preferably, a compression protection unit extension direction along which at least a part of a compression protection unit extends can assume an extension angle in a range of 5° to 85°, e.g. 20° to 70°, to a sealing element extension direction along which a part of the sealing element closest to the at least one part of the compression protection unit extends.

It can be advantageous if the compression protection unit has a first compression protection element and a second compression protection element and the two compression protection elements are arranged or formed in the edge zone, wherein at least a first of the compression protection elements is arranged or formed completely in an edge zone section of the edge zone, wherein the edge zone section extends in the radial direction from the sealing element to the edge and the edge zone section extends along an edge extension direction over a length of at most 15% of the edge length, wherein the edge length is a length of the edge.

It is preferred if at least one of the compression protection elements is formed in a ring-shaped circumferential manner within the edge zone section.

Alternatively, at least one of the compression protection elements can be designed to extend spirally within the edge zone section.

The term "radial direction" can be used here to mean, in particular, a direction from the sealing element to the edge. The radial direction can, in particular, extend from the sealing element to the edge in such a way that the direction is orthogonal to the edge.

The radial direction can, for example, be orthogonal to the edge extension direction.

It may be advantageous if at least one compression protection element is arranged or formed in each of several edge zone sections that follow one another along the edge extension direction.

A compression protection element can be arranged or formed which extends from an edge zone section into at least one adjacent edge zone section or extends through the adjacent edge zone section.

The compression protection element can, for example, be designed in a ring-shaped or spiral-shaped manner.

It is preferred if a compression protection element extension of at least one of the compression protection elements that can be measured in the direction of the edge extension direction is greater than a compression protection element distance that can be measured in the direction of the edge extension direction between two adjacent compression protection elements that are arranged or formed in successive edge zone sections.

Preferably, the ratio of the compression protection element extension to the compression protection element spacing can be in a range from 10:9 to 20:1, particularly preferably in a range from 10:8 to 10:1.

If the compression protection element extension is greater than the compression protection element spacing, this can be particularly advantageous because compression protection elements that are formed on two interconnected plate elements or compression protection elements of adjacent plates in a plate stack arrangement can then each be aligned in such a way that a compression protection element that is closest to one another in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis can bridge a compression protection element spacing between two compression protection elements that are arranged next to one another orthogonally to the plate stack longitudinal axis. This can promote elastic deformation when the plate stack arrangement is compressed along a plate stack longitudinal axis and thus contribute to the longevity of a plate stack arrangement.

It may be advantageous if at least two compression protection elements are arranged or formed in the edge zone, wherein a first of the at least two compression protection elements in the edge zone is further away from the edge than a second of the at least two compression protection elements.

• - ein außenliegendes Ende des in der Randzone weiter vom Rand entfernt liegenden Kompressionsschutzelements weiter von dem Rand entfernt liegt als ein innenliegendes Ende des zweiten der wenigstens zwei Kompressionsschutzelemente; und/oder
• - in mehreren entlang der Rand-Erstreckungsrichtung aufeinanderfolgenden Randzonen-Abschnitten jeweils ein Kompressionsschutzelement in der Randzone innenliegend angeordnet oder ausgebildet ist und ein anderes Kompressionsschutzelement in der Randzone außenliegend angeordnet oder ausgebildet ist; und/oder
• - die Randzone eine zu dem Rand nähere äußere Randzone und eine von dem Rand weiter entfernte innere Randzone umfasst, in der äußeren Randzone mehrere in Richtung der Rand-Erstreckungsrichtung benachbarte Kompressionsschutzelemente angeordnet oder ausgebildet sind und in der inneren Randzone mehrere in Richtung der Rand-Erstreckungsrichtung benachbarte Kompressionsschutzelemente angeordnet oder ausgebildet sind.

It is preferred if

• - an outer end of the compression protection element located further away from the edge in the edge zone is located further away from the edge than an inner end of the second of the at least two compression protection elements; and/or
• - in several edge zone sections that follow one another along the edge extension direction, one compression protection element is arranged or formed on the inside of the edge zone and another compression protection element is arranged or formed on the outside of the edge zone; and/or
• - the edge zone comprises an outer edge zone closer to the edge and an inner edge zone further away from the edge, in the outer edge zone a plurality of compression protection elements adjacent in the direction of the edge extension direction are arranged or formed and in the inner edge zone a plurality of compression protection elements adjacent in the direction of the edge extension direction are arranged or formed.

It is particularly preferred if at least one of the compression protection elements is a bead element, preferably a majority of the compression protection elements are bead elements, e.g. all compression protection elements are bead elements.

It may be advantageous if the compression protection unit is raised less in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis in relation to the base section of the sealing arrangement in the first elevation zone than in the second elevation zone, wherein the base section can preferably be located between the sealing element and the compression protection unit.

It is preferred if the first raised zone is a raised zone of the first of the at least two compression protection elements and the second raised zone is a raised zone of the second of the at least two compression protection elements and the first of the at least two compression protection elements in the edge zone is further away from the edge than the second of the at least two compression protection elements, wherein at least the first of the at least two compression protection elements is a bead element and at least the second of the at least two compression protection elements is a bead element.

It is preferred if one of the compression protection elements, e.g. the second of the compression protection elements, has a more gently inclined flank and one of the compression protection elements, e.g. the first of the compression protection elements, has a more steeply inclined flank.

A smaller angle of inclination of the more gently inclined flank can preferably be 15° to 70°. A larger angle of inclination of the more steeply inclined flank can preferably be 20° to 90°.

It may be advantageous if the first elevation zone is a trunk elevation zone and the second elevation zone is a head elevation zone adjoining the trunk elevation zone in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plate stack.

It is preferred if a flank of the head elevation zone is more flatly inclined than a flank of the trunk elevation zone.

It is particularly preferred if a smaller angle of inclination of a more gently inclined flank of the head elevation zone is 15° to 70° and a larger angle of inclination of a more steeply inclined flank of the torso elevation zone is 20° to 90°.

It may be advantageous if the compression protection unit has at least one higher and at least one lower compression protection unit section, wherein a height of the compression protection unit in the higher compression protection unit section is greater than a height of the compression protection unit in the lower compression protection unit section.

It is preferred if the compression protection unit has a head elevation zone only in the higher compression protection unit section.

It may be advantageous if a degree of bending of the compression protection unit, e.g. of a bead element of the compression protection unit, alternately increases and decreases along an extension direction of the compression protection unit.

It is preferred if the compression protection unit, e.g. the beading element of the compression protection unit, bends alternately in one direction and in the opposite direction along an extension direction of the compression protection unit.

The compression protection unit, e.g. the beading element of the compression protection unit, can optionally run straight between the alternating bends.

The compression protection unit, e.g. the beading element of the compression protection unit, can preferably run in a meandering shape in the edge zone.

• - die Kompressionsschutzeinheit das Erhebungselement und das Vertiefungselement aufweist, wobei ein Teil einer Erhebung des Erhebungselements in eine Vertiefung des Vertiefungselements aufgenommen ist; und/oder
• - die Kompressionsschutzeinheit ein Erhebungselement und ein Vertiefungselement aufweist, wobei ein Teil einer Erhebung des Erhebungselements in eine Vertiefung des Vertiefungselements aufnehmbar ist, wenn es bei einer Kompression der Plattenstapelanordnung entlang einer Plattenstapellängsachse zu einer Verformung der Kompressionsschutzeinheit kommt.

It can be advantageous if

• - the compression protection unit comprises the elevation element and the recess element, wherein a part of an elevation of the elevation element is received in a recess of the recess element; and/or
• - the compression protection unit has a raised element and a recessed element, wherein a part of a raised element of the raised element can be received in a recessed element of the recessed element if a deformation of the compression protection unit occurs during a compression of the plate stack arrangement along a plate stack longitudinal axis.

It can be advantageous if the compression protection unit has a plurality of elevation elements and depression elements, wherein a part of an elevation of each elevation element is received in a corresponding depression of at least one depression element or can be received in a corresponding depression of at least one depression element if a compression of the plate stack arrangement along a plate stack longitudinal axis leads to a deformation of the compression protection unit.

It may be advantageous if at least a part of the raised element and at least a part of the recessed element is formed between bead elements.

It is preferred if the elevation element is an elevation element formed from a first plate element of a plate and the depression element is a depression element formed from a second plate element of a plate.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the plate stack arrangement according to the relevant independent protection claim.

The plate stack arrangement may preferably be a fuel cell stack or a part of a fuel cell stack. The plate stack arrangement may, for example, be a fuel cell stack.

Alternatively, the plate stack arrangement may be an electrolytic cell stack or part of an electrolytic cell stack or a heat exchanger plate stack or part of a heat exchanger plate stack.

The plate stack arrangement can be a plate stack arrangement for a motor vehicle, for example a fuel cell stack for a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle can in particular be a road vehicle, a rail vehicle or an aircraft, e.g. a road vehicle.

• - mehrere Platten,
• - einen in der Plattenstapelanordnung liegenden Raum, und
• - eine hierin beschriebene Dichtungsanordnung, deren Dichtelement den Raum in wenigstens eine Richtung begrenzt.

The plate stack arrangement may in particular comprise:

• - several plates,
• - a space located in the plate stack arrangement, and
• - a sealing arrangement as described herein, the sealing element of which delimits the space in at least one direction.

The plate stack arrangement may, for example, be a fuel cell stack or part of a fuel cell stack and the space may be a space therein.

The multiple plates can, for example, be multiple separator plates.

The space can in particular be the space between the plates of the plate stack arrangement.

Especially if the space is the space between the panels, the sealing element can surround the space.

The plate gap can extend between two adjacent plates in the plate stack arrangement. For example, it can extend between two adjacent separator plates of the fuel cell stack.

It is known to those skilled in the art that the space that can extend between two adjacent separator plates of the fuel cell stack can be divided in a conventional fuel cell stack, e.g. by membrane electrode units (MEA), into a cathode space for guiding a cathode gas and an anode space for guiding an anode gas. This is self-evident to those skilled in the art and will therefore not be discussed in more detail in connection with the present invention.

The space can be the feedthrough space that extends through at least one plate of the plate stack arrangement. The feedthrough space can, for example, extend through at least one feedthrough opening of at least one plate of the plate stack arrangement.

If the space is the feedthrough space, the sealing element can surround a part of the feedthrough space, e.g. in a ring shape.

It is preferred if the sealing element has two sealing beads facing each other and each of the two sealing beads is formed from one of two adjacent plates, e.g. separator plates, and rises in the direction of the other sealing bead from the respective plate plane of the respective plate, e.g. the separator plate.

Insulation can be placed between the sealing beads. This prevents a short circuit. A short circuit can occur if there is direct contact between adjacent plates.

It can be advantageous if the compression protection unit is arranged at an inlet zone or a discharge zone or extends up to the inlet zone or the discharge zone.

The introduction zone may be an anode gas introduction zone provided for introducing an anode gas into the anode compartment.

The introduction zone can be a cathode gas introduction zone provided for introducing a cathode gas into the cathode compartment.

The discharge zone may be an anode gas discharge zone provided for discharging a completely or partially consumed anode gas from the anode chamber.

The discharge zone can be a cathode gas discharge zone provided for discharging a completely or partially consumed cathode gas from the cathode compartment.

This can make a decisive contribution to increasing the durability and safety of a plate stack arrangement in the event of strong forces. This is because the fluid guidance structures in the area of the inlet zone or outlet zone are then exposed to lower forces than without the compression protection.

It may be advantageous if the rigidity of a compression protection unit at the inlet zone and/or at the outlet zone is higher than the rigidity of the same or another compression protection unit in a region of the plate stack arrangement spaced apart from all inlet zones and outlet zones.

For example, compression of the compression protection unit at the inlet zone and/or at the outlet zone may require greater expenditure of force and/or energy than compression of the same or the other compression protection unit in the region of the plate stack arrangement spaced apart from all inlet zones and outlet zones.

• - wenigstens eine Kompressionsschutzuntereinheit ein Sickenelement aufweist; und/oder
• - wenigstens eine der Kompressionsschutzuntereinheit eine Plateauzone aufweist; und/oder
• - wenigstens eine Kompressionsschutzuntereinheit eine mehrlagige Kompressionsschutzzone aufweist; und/oder
• - eine der Kompressionsschutzuntereinheiten ein Erhebungselement und die andere der Kompressionsschutzuntereinheiten ein Vertiefungselement aufweist, wobei ein Teil einer Erhebung des Erhebungselements in eine Vertiefung des Vertiefungselements aufgenommen ist.

It is preferred if the compression protection unit has two compression protection subunits. At least one of the two compression protection subunits can rise in the direction of the other compression protection subunit or into the other compression protection subunit from a plate plane of at least one of the two plates, e.g. at least one of the two separator plates. At least one of the two compression protection subunits can be formed from one of two adjacent plates, e.g. separator plates. At least one of the two compression protection subunits can be arranged on one of two adjacent plates. It is preferred if

• - at least one compression protection sub-unit has a bead element; and/or
• - at least one of the compression protection subunits has a plateau zone; and/or
• - at least one compression protection subunit has a multi-layer compression protection zone; and/or
• - one of the compression protection subunits has a raised element and the other of the compression protection subunits has a recessed element, wherein a part of a raised element of the raised element is received in a recess of the recessed element.

The two compression protection subunits can be designed and/or arranged such that they can move towards each other along the longitudinal axis of the plate stack when the plate stack arrangement is compressed.

• - beide Kompressionsschutzuntereinheiten je ein Sickenelement aufweisen; und/oder
• - beide Kompressionsschutzuntereinheiten je eine mehrlagige Kompressionsschutzzone aufweisen.

It may be advantageous if each of the two compression protection sub-units is formed from one of the two adjacent plates, e.g. separator plates, and both compression protection sub-units rise in the direction of the other compression protection sub-unit, wherein it is preferred if

• - both compression protection sub-units each have a beading element; and/or
• - both compression protection sub-units each have a multi-layer compression protection zone.

• - eine der Kompressionsschutzuntereinheiten ein Erhebungselement und die andere der Kompressionsschutzuntereinheiten ein Vertiefungselement aufweist, wobei ein Teil einer Erhebung des Erhebungselements in eine Vertiefung des Vertiefungselements aufgenommen ist.

Preferably, one of the two compression protection subunits can rise into the other compression protection subunit from the at least one plate plane of the at least one plate, e.g. the at least one separator plate, wherein it is preferred if

• - one of the compression protection subunits has a raised element and the other of the compression protection subunits has a recessed element, wherein a part of a raised element of the raised element is received in a recess of the recessed element.

• - einen weiteren in der Plattenanordnung liegenden Raum, und
• - eine weitere Dichtungsanordnung, deren Dichtelement den weiteren Raum in wenigstens eine Richtung begrenzt, wobei die weitere Dichtungsanordnung bevorzugt eine weitere hierin beschriebene Dichtungsanordnung sein kann.

It can be particularly advantageous if the plate stack arrangement, e.g. the fuel cell stack, comprises:

• - another room in the panel arrangement, and
• - a further sealing arrangement, the sealing element of which delimits the further space in at least one direction, wherein the further sealing arrangement can preferably be a further sealing arrangement described herein.

It is preferred if both spaces are plate interspaces, each extending between two adjacent plates in the plate stack arrangement. It is preferred if only one of the plates lies between the two plate interspaces.

It is preferred if at least one plate of the plate stack arrangement, e.g. at least one separator plate of the fuel cell stack, has two plate elements that are directly or indirectly connected to one another, wherein a main surface of one plate element faces a main surface of the other plate element.

Preferably, the interconnected plate elements are directly connected to one another.

The interconnected plate elements are preferably welded together in welding zones.

The interconnected plate elements are preferably connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner.

Preferably, the at least one plate of the plate stack arrangement is a metal plate, e.g. at least one metal separator plate. The two plate elements connected to one another are preferably metal plate elements.

• - zwischen dem Dichtelement und der Kompressionsschutzeinheit der Dichtungsanordnung und/oder
• - zwischen der Kompressionsschutzeinheit und dem Rand und/oder
• - innerhalb der Kompressionsschutzeinheit, z. B. zwischen verschiedenen Kompressionsschutzelementen, verschiedenen Erhebungszonen, verschiedenen Kompressionsschutzeinheit-Abschnitten oder verschiedenen Sickenelementen besteht.

It is particularly preferred if an indirect or direct connection of the plate elements in the edge zone of a sealing arrangement

• - between the sealing element and the compression protection unit of the sealing arrangement and/or
• - between the compression protection unit and the edge and/or
• - within the compression protection unit, e.g. between different compression protection elements, different elevation zones, different compression protection unit sections or different bead elements.

For example, there may be an indirect or direct connection of the plate elements in the edge zone of the sealing arrangement between the sealing element and the compression protection unit of the sealing arrangement and a further indirect or direct connection of the plate elements in the edge zone of the sealing arrangement between the compression protection unit and the edge.

Preferably, the further sealing arrangement can also be a further sealing arrangement described herein, wherein at least a first compression protection unit section of the one compression protection unit overlays a first compression protection unit section of the further compression protection unit. It is preferred if at least a second compression protection unit section of the one compression protection unit does not overlay a second compression protection unit section of the further compression protection unit.

The at least one first compression protection unit section of the one compression protection unit can overlay the first compression protection unit section of the further compression protection unit in an overlay zone.

If a compression protection unit section of one compression protection unit overlays a first compression protection unit section of the further compression protection unit, this can in particular mean that where the sections overlap, e.g. in the overlay zone, a straight line aligned parallel to the plate stack longitudinal axis, extending through the two superimposed sections.

Preferably, the two compression protection unit sections of one compression protection unit are formed from one of the interconnected plate elements and the two compression protection unit sections of the further compression protection unit are formed from the other of the interconnected plate elements.

A compression protection unit section can merge directly, e.g. seamlessly, into another compression protection unit section of the same compression protection unit. Sections of the same compression protection unit can, for example, differ from one another solely in that only one of the sections is superimposed or is arranged in an overlay zone.

It can be particularly advantageous if there is an indirect or direct connection of the plate elements between two overlap zones offset from one another in the plate plane, wherein different compression protection units or compression protection unit sections of different compression protection units, each formed from one of the two plate elements, overlap in the overlap zones. Alternatively or additionally, the indirect or direct connection of the plate elements can be at least partially surrounded by at least one compression protection unit or one compression protection unit section, wherein the compression protection unit or the compression protection unit section can be formed from at least one of the plate elements.

It can be particularly advantageous if a distance of a compression protection unit to a nearest point at which there is an indirect or direct connection of the plate elements is at most 200% of a largest extension of the compression protection unit in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plate stack, wherein a distance of a bead element, elevation element or depression element formed from at least one of the plate elements to a nearest point at which there is an indirect or direct connection of the plate elements can be at most 200% of the depth of the depression element or at most 200% of the height of the bead element or the elevation element.

The value of at most 200% can preferably be at most 160%, particularly preferably at most 130%, e.g. at most 115%.

Of course, features described in connection with an object according to the invention can also form features of another object according to the invention. Objects according to the invention are in particular the sealing arrangement and the plate stack arrangement.

Further preferred features and/or advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the drawings of embodiments.

• 1: eine Aufsicht auf eine Platte in schematischer Darstellung;
• 2: eine Aufsicht auf eine weitere Platte in schematischer Darstellung;
• 3: eine Aufsicht auf eine weitere Platte in schematischer Darstellung;
• 4: einen Abschnitt eines Schnitts durch eine Platte in schematischer Darstellung;
• 5: einen Abschnitt eines Schnitts durch eine Platte in schematischer Darstellung;
• 6: einen Abschnitt eines Schnitts durch eine Platte in schematischer Darstellung;
• 7: eine Aufsicht auf einen Abschnitt einer Platte in schematischer Darstellung;
• 8: einen Abschnitt eines Schnitts durch eine Platte in schematischer Darstellung;
• 9: einen Abschnitt eines Schnitts durch eine Platte in schematischer Darstellung;
• 10: eine schematische Darstellung einer Randzone einer Platte;
• 11: eine schematische Darstellung einer Randzone einer Platte;
• 12: eine schematische Darstellung einer Randzone einer Platte;
• 13: einen Abschnitt eines Schnitts durch eine Platte in schematischer Darstellung;
• 14: einen Ausschnitt einer Platte in schematischer Darstellung;
• 15: einen Abschnitt eines Schnitts durch eine Platte in schematischer Darstellung;
• 16: einen Abschnitt eines Schnitts durch eine Platte in schematischer Darstellung;
• 17: einen Abschnitt eines Schnitts durch eine Platte in schematischer Darstellung;
• 18: einen Schritt zur Anpassung eines Sickenvorläuferelements;
• 19: eine Illustration übereinanderliegender Erhebungs- und Vertiefungselemente;
• 20: einen Schnitt durch Randbereiche von Platten, die ein Erhebungselement bzw. ein Vertiefungselement aufweisen;
• 21: einen Ausschnitt einer Plattenstapelanordnung in schematischer Darstellung vor einer Kompression entlang der Stapellängsachse;
• 22: den Ausschnitt aus 21 während der Kompression entlang der Stapellängsachse;
• 23: den Ausschnitt aus 21 und 22 nach der Kompression entlang der Stapellängsachse;
• 24: einen Ausschnitt einer Plattenstapelanordnung in schematischer Darstellung vor einer Kompression entlang der Stapellängsachse;
• 25: den Ausschnitt aus 24 während der Kompression entlang der Stapellängsachse;
• 26: den Ausschnitt aus 24 und 25 nach der Kompression entlang der Stapellängsachse;
• 27: einen Ausschnitt einer Platte, wobei für die Dichtungsanordnung zwei Dichtelemente und eine Kompressionsschutzeinheit vorgesehen ist;
• 28: einen Abschnitt eines Schnitts durch eine Platte in schematischer Darstellung;
• 29: einen Abschnitts eines Schnitts durch eine Platte in schematischer Darstellung;
• 30: eine schematische Darstellung einer Randzone einer Platte;
• 31: eine schematische Darstellung einer Randzone einer Platte;
• 32: eine schematische Darstellung einer Randzone einer Platte;
• 33: einen Abschnitt eines Schnitts durch eine Platte in schematischer Darstellung;
• 34: eine schematische Darstellung einer Randzone einer Platte;
• 35: einen Abschnitt eines Schnitts durch eine Platte in schematischer Darstellung;
• 36: einen Abschnitt eines Schnitts durch eine Platte in schematischer Darstellung;
• 37: eine schematische Darstellung einer Randzone einer Platte;
• 38: Schnitt A-A durch 37;
• 39: Schnitt B-B durch 37;
• 40: eine schematische Darstellung einer Kompressionsschutzeinheit;
• 41: einen Schnitt durch die Kompressionsschutzeinheit aus 40;
• 42: eine schematische Darstellung einer Kompressionsschutzeinheit;
• 43: einen Schnitt durch die Kompressionsschutzeinheit aus 42;
• 44: eine schematische Darstellung einer Kompressionsschutzeinheit;
• 45: einen Schnitt durch die Kompressionsschutzeinheit aus 44;
• 46: eine schematische Darstellung einer Kompressionsschutzeinheit;
• 47: einen Schnitt durch die Kompressionsschutzeinheit aus 46;
• 48: eine schematische Darstellung einer Kompressionsschutzeinheit;
• 49: einen Schnitt durch die Kompressionsschutzeinheit aus 48;
• 50: eine schematische Darstellung einer Kompressionsschutzeinheit; und
• 51: einen Schnitt durch die Kompressionsschutzeinheit aus 50.

Show it:

• 1 : a plan view of a plate in a schematic representation;
• 2 : a plan view of another plate in a schematic representation;
• 3 : a plan view of another plate in a schematic representation;
• 4 : a section of a cross-section through a plate in a schematic representation;
• 5 : a section of a cross-section through a plate in a schematic representation;
• 6 : a section of a cross-section through a plate in a schematic representation;
• 7 : a plan view of a section of a plate in a schematic representation;
• 8th : a section of a cross-section through a plate in a schematic representation;
• 9 : a section of a cross-section through a plate in a schematic representation;
• 10 : a schematic representation of an edge zone of a plate;
• 11 : a schematic representation of an edge zone of a plate;
• 12 : a schematic representation of an edge zone of a plate;
• 13 : a section of a cross-section through a plate in a schematic representation;
• 14 : a section of a plate in schematic representation;
• 15 : a section of a cross-section through a plate in a schematic representation;
• 16 : a section of a cross-section through a plate in a schematic representation;
• 17 : a section of a cross-section through a plate in a schematic representation;
• 18 : a step for adapting a bead precursor element;
• 19 : an illustration of superimposed elevation and depression elements;
• 20 : a section through edge regions of panels having a raised element or a recessed element;
• 21 : a section of a plate stack arrangement in schematic representation before compression along the stack longitudinal axis;
• 22 : the excerpt from 21 during compression along the stack longitudinal axis;
• 23 : the excerpt from 21 and 22 after compression along the stack longitudinal axis;
• 24 : a section of a plate stack arrangement in schematic representation before compression along the stack longitudinal axis;
• 25 : the excerpt from 24 during compression along the stack longitudinal axis;
• 26 : the excerpt from 24 and 25 after compression along the stack longitudinal axis;
• 27 : a section of a plate, wherein two sealing elements and a compression protection unit are provided for the sealing arrangement;
• 28 : a section of a cross-section through a plate in a schematic representation;
• 29 : a section of a cross-section through a plate in a schematic representation;
• 30 : a schematic representation of an edge zone of a plate;
• 31 : a schematic representation of an edge zone of a plate;
• 32 : a schematic representation of an edge zone of a plate;
• 33 : a section of a cross-section through a plate in a schematic representation;
• 34 : a schematic representation of an edge zone of a plate;
• 35 : a section of a cross-section through a plate in a schematic representation;
• 36 : a section of a cross-section through a plate in a schematic representation;
• 37 : a schematic representation of an edge zone of a plate;
• 38 : Section AA through 37 ;
• 39 : Section BB through 37 ;
• 40 : a schematic representation of a compression protection unit;
• 41 : a section through the compression protection unit 40 ;
• 42 : a schematic representation of a compression protection unit;
• 43 : a section through the compression protection unit 42 ;
• 44 : a schematic representation of a compression protection unit;
• 45 : a section through the compression protection unit 44 ;
• 46 : a schematic representation of a compression protection unit;
• 47 : a section through the compression protection unit 46 ;
• 48 : a schematic representation of a compression protection unit;
• 49 : a section through the compression protection unit 48 ;
• 50 : a schematic representation of a compression protection unit; and
• 51 : a section through the compression protection unit 50 .

Identical or functionally equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals in all figures.

1 to 3 show sections of different plates 100 in a schematic representation. The plates 100 are plates for a plate stack arrangement 102. They are separator plates 104 for fuel cell stacks 106. The separator plates 104 can be, for example, metal plates 108, which can function as bipolar plates 110 in the respective fuel cell stack 106.

A flow field 112 is formed on or from the respective plate 100.

The 1 to 3 The plates 100 shown each define a sealing arrangement 114 alone or together with an adjacent plate 100 in the stacking direction. The sealing arrangement 114 serves to seal a space that can be produced or lies in the plate stack arrangement 102.

These sealing arrangements 114 each comprise a sealing element 116 and a compression protection unit 118.

The sealing element 116 can limit the space that can be created or can lie in the plate stack assembly 102 in at least one direction.

The compression protection unit 118 serves to protect the sealing element 116 from irreversible deformation during compression of the plate plate stack arrangement 102 along a plate stack longitudinal axis 120, which is only indicated with a cross, since it is in the 1 , 2 and 3 in the direction of the viewer's gaze.

The sealing element 116 of the 1 to 3 Each of the plates 100 shown has a sealing bead 122. The sealing bead 122 is a full bead 124. The sealing bead 122 is a perimeter bead 126. The sealing bead 122 can enclose an electrochemical cell which can be arranged in the space.

In the 1 to 3 In the plates 100 shown, the compression protection unit 118 has a bead element 128. The bead element 128 forms at least one first compression protection element 130.

The shape of the compression protection units 118 varies between the plates 100, which in 1 , 2 and 3 are shown respectively.

In the 1 The compression protection units 118 shown are elongated and extend away from the sealing element 116 towards an edge of the plate 100.

In the 2 The compression protection unit 118 shown extends back and forth in a meandering manner between an edge of the plate 100 and the sealing element 116.

In the 3 The compression protection units 118 shown are round. They are knobs 134 which are arranged between the edge of the plate 100 and the sealing element 116 and which can be embossed into the plate, for example.

4 shows a section through an edge region of another plate 100. The plate 100 has two plate elements 136 connected to one another. The plate elements 136 are separator plate elements 155. They are metal plate elements 156 which function as bipolar plate elements 158. A main surface 138 of one plate element 136 faces a main surface 138 of the other plate element 136. 4 shows only one of the plate elements 136 of the plate 100.

The plate 100 can form a sealing arrangement 114 alone or together with a plate 100 adjacent in the stacking direction. The sealing arrangement 114 can serve to seal a space located or producible in a plate stack arrangement 102. This is illustrated in particular by the 21 to 26 , but with other plates 100.

The sealing arrangement 114 comprises a sealing element 116 and a compression protection unit 118. The sealing element 116 can delimit the space in at least one direction. The compression protection unit 118 can serve to protect the sealing element 116 from irreversible deformation during compression of a plate stack arrangement along a plate stack longitudinal axis 120. The plate stack longitudinal axis 120 extends orthogonally to the plate plane of the plate 100.

The sealing element 116 has a sealing bead 122. The sealing bead 122 is a full bead 124. It can, for example, form a perimeter bead 126 of the plate 100.

The sealing bead 122 is formed from the plate 100.

The sealing bead 122 comprises walls 140. A raised wall 140 is connected via two further walls 140 to areas 141 of the plate 100 that border on the sealing bead 122. These two walls 140 can be regarded as flanks 142 or legs 144 of the sealing bead 122.

The compression protection unit 118 has a bead element 128. The compression protection unit 118 also has a first compression protection element 146 and a second compression protection element 148. The compression protection unit 118 also has a third compression protection element 150.

The bead element 128 is formed from the plate 100.

The compression protection unit 118 is formed in an edge zone 152. The edge zone 152 extends from the sealing element 116 to an edge 154 that limits the surface area of the plate 100.

The first compression protection element 146 and the second compression protection element 148 are arranged such that when a plate arrangement 102 constructed from plates 100 is compressed along the longitudinal axis 120 of the plate stack, compression of the first compression protection element 146 begins before compression of the second compression protection element 148 begins. For this purpose, the bead element 128 has two flanks 142 of different heights. The higher flank 142 extends to the first compression protection element 146. The lower flank 142 extends to the second compression protection element 148.

Since the first compression protection element 146 is more raised than the second compression protection element 148, the compression of the first compression protection element begins during the compression of the plate stack arrangement along the plate stack longitudinal axis 120 before the compression of the second, less raised compression protection element 148 begins.

The bead element 128 has an inner surface 160 and an outer surface 162.

As explained above, the bead element 128 forms at least one of a plurality of compression protection elements 146 and 148. An absorption material 164 arranged on the inner surface 160 of the bead element 128 forms a third compression protection element 150 and thus another of a plurality of compression protection elements 146, 148 and 150.

The absorption material 164 or another absorption material 164 could be arranged on the outer surface 162 and form another of several compression protection elements 146, 148 and 150. This is in 4 not shown.

5 and 6 show further design options for the compression protection unit 118.

The compression protection units 118 shown there also each have a bead element 128. 5 and 6 show that a recess 166 is formed in a wall 140 of the respective bead element 128. The recess 166 can be in the same direction ( 5 ) or opposite ( 6 ) to the bead element 128.

The recess 166 formed in the same direction can be a recess 166 formed in the inner surface 160. The recess 166 formed in the opposite direction can be a recess 166 formed in the outer surface 162.

The 5 and 6 The compression protection units 118 shown each have a first compression protection element 146 and a second compression protection element 148.

If the recess is formed in the same direction as the bead element 128, the first compression protection element 146 can be present at a bottom of the recess 166. In the area of the recess 166, the compression protection unit 118, which is in 5 shown. Less raised areas of the compression protection unit 118 adjacent to the first compression protection element 146 can form a second compression protection element 148.

If the recess 166 is formed in the opposite direction to the bead element 128, regions of the compression protection unit 118 adjacent to the recess 166 can form a first compression protection element 146. A base structure of the bead element 128 located below the recess 166 can form the second compression protection element 148.

7 shows a section of a plate 100, e.g. a separator plate 104. 7 also shows a sealing element 116 and a compression protection unit 118. The sealing element has wider sealing element sections 168 and narrower sealing element sections 170. The sealing element 116 has a sealing bead 122. The wider sealing element sections 168 are wider sealing bead sections 172. The narrower sealing element sections 170 are narrower sealing bead sections 174.

The compression protection unit has wider compression protection unit sections 176 and narrower compression protection unit sections 178. The compression protection unit 118 has a bead element 128. The wider compression protection unit sections 176 are wider bead element sections 180. The narrower compression protection unit sections 178 are narrower bead element sections 182.

8th shows a section through the plate 100, which in 7 The section is made through a narrower sealing element section 170 and a narrower compression protection unit section 178.

9 shows another section through the plate 100, which in 7 The section is made through a wider sealing element section 168 and a wider compression protection unit section 176.

10 to 12 each show sections of plates 100 in a schematic representation. These are separator plates 104 in the form of metal plates 108, which can function as bipolar plates 110 in fuel cell stacks 106.

The 10 to 12 The plates 100 shown have two plate elements 136 directly connected to one another.

A main surface of one plate element 136 faces a main surface of the other plate element 136. A plate element 136 facing away from the viewer is completely covered by the plate element 136 facing the viewer, which is why certain features of the covered plate element 136 are shown in dashed lines.

The 10 to 12 The sections shown show only edge zones 152 of the respective plate 100. Also shown are compression protection units 118 formed in the respective edge zones 152. The compression protection units 118 each have bead elements 128. Bead elements 128, which are formed from the plate element 136 facing away from the viewer, are shown in the 10 to 12 each shown in dashed lines.

The compression protection units 118 are in the 10 to 12 each arranged such that a first compression protection unit section 184 of the one compression protection unit 118 overlays a first compression protection unit section 186 of the further compression protection unit of the plate element 136 facing away from the viewer, e.g. in an overlay zone 188. At least one second compression protection unit section 190 of the one compression protection unit 118 overlays a second compression protection unit section 192 of the further compression protection unit 118 of the plate element 136 facing away from the viewer.

10 and 11 show that a connection 194 of the plate elements 136 can exist between two superposition zones 188 offset from one another in the plate plane, wherein in the superposition zones 188 compression protection unit sections 184 and 186 of different compression protection units 118, each formed from one of the two interconnected plate elements 136, overlap.

13 shows a section through a plate 100. Only a section of the plate 100 is shown. In addition, the 13 only one of two plate elements 136 belonging to the plate 100.

14 shows a possible design in which the compression protection unit 118 has a multi-layer compression protection zone 196. The multi-layer compression protection zone 196 is formed in the edge zone 152.

A first layer 198 and a second layer 200 of the multi-layer compression protection zone 196 are formed by the same plate 100. Both layers extend from the edge 154 that limits the surface area of the plate. The sealing bead 122 is formed from the first layer 198 of the two layers 198 and 200. The second layer 200 of the two layers 198 and 200 extends from the edge 154 in the direction of the sealing bead. A material 201 is arranged between the two layers 198 and 200. The material 201 can be or contain a filling material 202 or an absorption material 164.

14 shows a plan view of a plate 100 with a multi-layer compression protection zone 196. A section 204 of the multi-layer compression protection zone 196 is wider than another section 206 of the multi-layer compression protection zone 196. In the wider section 204 of the multi-layer compression protection zone 196, the second layer 200 extends further from the edge 154 in the direction of the sealing element 116 than in the other section 206 of the multi-layer compression protection zone 196.

15 and 16 show sections of the 14 shown plate 100, wherein only one of the two plate elements 136 of the plate is shown. 15 shows a section through a wider section 204. 16 shows a section through a narrower section 206.

In the 17 In the section of a plate 100 shown, the sealing element 116 and the compression protection unit 118 are designed almost as in 4 is shown.

Also in 17 only one of two plate elements 136 of the plate 100 is shown.

In 17 In addition, possibilities for establishing a connection 194 are shown with dashes, whereby the connection 194 is a connection to the further, in 17 plate element 136, not shown.

The connection 194 can be made via a welding zone 208 to the further plate element 136 (not shown). The two plate elements 136 can be welded in the welding zone 208.

In 17 a distance 210 of the compression protection unit 118 to a nearest point at which a connection 194 of the plate elements 136 can exist is also shown. In addition, 17 the largest extension 212 of the compression protection unit 118 is shown in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis 120.

The distance 210 is approximately 50% of the greatest extent 212.

18 illustrates how an intermediate plate product 214 can be converted, in particular formed, into a plate 100 or into a plate element 136.

The intermediate plate product 214 has a bead precursor element 218. The shape and/or the cross section of the bead precursor element 218 defines a maximum precursor extension 216 of the bead precursor element 218 in the direction of a later plate stack longitudinal axis 120.

The bead precursor element 218 can be converted or reshaped such that the maximum precursor extension 216 is changed towards the desired largest extension 212 of the resulting bead element 128.

For this purpose, the bead precursor element 218 can be completely or partially planed and thereby converted into the bead element 128.

19 and 20 illustrate a possible design, wherein the compression protection unit 118 has a raised element 220 and a recessed element 222, wherein a part of a raised element 224 of the raised element 220 is received in a recess 226 of the recessed element 222.

19 illustrates that the elevation element 220 and the depression element 222 can each be a bead element 128. A elevation height 228 of the elevation 224 is greater than a depression depth 230 of the depression 226.

Flanks 142 of the elevation are spaced apart in the recess 226 from flanks 142 of the recess 226. The spacing of the flanks is such that the flanks 142 of the elevation 224 can spread out towards the flanks 142 of the recess 226. This can create a compression protection function for a sealing element which is arranged between the plates 100 at a distance from the compression protection unit 118.

21 to 23 illustrate the behavior of a plate stack arrangement 102 and in particular of a fuel cell stack 106 when the plate stack arrangement 102 is compressed along a plate stack longitudinal axis 120. Only two plates 100 of the plate stack arrangement 102 are shown, i.e. only a part of the fuel cell stack 106. The plates 100 each have two plate elements 136 connected to one another.

The 21 to 23 The sealing arrangements shown each comprise a sealing element 116 and a compression protection unit 118. The sealing element 116 surrounds the space 101. The space 101 is the plate gap 103.

The sealing elements 116 shown have sealing beads 122. The respective sealing bead 122 is a full bead 124. They can, for example, form a perimeter bead 126 of the respective plate 100. The sealing beads 122 are each formed from a plate 100 or from a plate element 136 of the respective plate 100. An insulation 232 is arranged between mutually facing sealing beads 116.

The respective compression protection units 118 have bead elements 128. The respective compression protection unit 118 also has a first compression protection element 146 and a second compression protection element 148.

The first compression protection element 146 and the second compression protection element 148 are each arranged and designed such that in the 22 illustrated compression along the plate stack longitudinal axis 120, a compression of the first compression protection element 146 begins before a compression of the second compression protection element 148 can begin.

The relatively soft absorption material 164 arranged on the outer surface 162 of the bead element 128 forms the first compression protection element 146. It is thus more raised than the second compression protection element 148. The compression of the first compression protection element 146 begins when the plate stack arrangement 102 is compressed along the plate stack longitudinal axis 120, before the compression of the second, less raised compression protection element 148 begins.

The compression protection unit 118 can serve to protect the sealing element 116 from irreversible deformation during compression of a plate stack arrangement along a plate stack longitudinal axis 120. This is particularly evident from 24 to 26 which shows the behavior of another plate stack arrangement 102 during compression along the plate stack longitudinal axis 120. The 24 to 26 The plate stack arrangement 102 shown corresponds to that of 21 to 23 , however, the first compression protection element is missing in each case. Here, the compression along the longitudinal axis of the plate stack impacts the sealing elements 116 so strongly that they are irreversibly deformed.

Instead, in 21 to 23 - after the same force is applied along the longitudinal axis 120 of the plate stack - only the first compression protection element 146 is reversibly or possibly irreversibly deformed.

27 shows a section of a plate 100, which is constructed from two connected plate elements 136. The plate is a separator plate 104 for a fuel cell stack not shown in detail here. The sealing arrangement 114 comprises a first sealing element 116 and a second sealing element 116. The two sealing elements 116 surround different spaces 101.

The first sealing element 116 surrounds a space between the plates, not shown here. The second sealing element 116 surrounds at least part of a passage space 105, which extends through the plate 100 and from which in 27 only a section is shown. Both sealing elements 116 each have a sealing bead 122.

The sealing bead 122 of the first sealing element 116 is a perimeter bead 126. The perimeter bead 126 limits the space between the plates with respect to the surroundings of the plate stack arrangement.

The sealing bead of the second sealing element 116 is a port bead 125 which surrounds at least a part of the feedthrough space 105.

28 shows a section through an edge region of another plate 100. The plate 100 has two interconnected plate elements 136. The plate elements 136 are separator plate elements 155. They are metal plate elements that function as bipolar plate elements.

The plate 100 can form a sealing arrangement 114 alone or together with a plate 100 adjacent in the stacking direction. The sealing arrangement 114 can serve to seal a space 101 located or producible in a plate stack arrangement 102. This is illustrated in particular by the 21 to 26 , but with other plates 100.

The sealing arrangement 114 comprises a sealing element 116 and a compression protection unit 118. The sealing element 116 can delimit the respective space 101 in at least one direction. The compression protection unit 118 can serve to protect the sealing element 116 from irreversible deformation during compression of a plate stack arrangement along a plate stack longitudinal axis 120. The plate stack longitudinal axis 120 extends orthogonally to the plate plane of the plate 100.

The sealing element 116 has a sealing bead 122. The sealing bead is a full bead 124. It can, for example, form a perimeter bead of the plate 100.

The sealing bead 122 is formed from the plate 100.

In the 28 In the sealing arrangement shown, the compression protection unit 118 defines a first elevation zone 234 and a second elevation zone 236.

The compression protection unit 118 is raised in the first elevation zone 234 and in the second elevation zone 236 in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis 120 relative to a base portion 246 of the sealing arrangement 114, wherein the base portion 246 lies between the sealing element 116 and the compression protection unit 118.

The compression protection unit 118 has a bead element 128 and a further bead element 129. The bead element 128 defines the raised zone 234. The further bead element 129 defines the second raised zone 236.

It would also be conceivable for the compression protection unit to have only the bead element 128, but not the bead element 129, and for the bead element 128 to define the two raised zones 234 and 236. For this purpose, the bead element 128 could, for example, be arranged or formed entirely in an edge zone section 270 of the edge zone 152. The bead element 128 can be formed in the edge zone section 270 in a ring-shaped manner, as for example in the 31 illustrated.

The compression protection unit 118 has an intermediate section 248 between the first elevation zone 234 and the second elevation zone 236.

The compression protection unit 118 is not raised in the intermediate section 248 in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis 120 relative to the base section 246.

28 shows that a connection 194 of the plate elements 136 exists in the edge zone 152 of the sealing arrangement 114. A connection 194 exists between the sealing element 116 and the compression protection unit 118. A connection 194 exists between the compression protection unit 118 and the edge 154. A connection exists within the compression protection unit 118 between the various elevation zones 234 and 236.

The connections 194 have welding zones 208. In the welding zones 208, the plate elements 136 are welded together.

• Auch bei der in 29 gezeigten Dichtungsanordnung 114 weist die Kompressionsschutzeinheit 118 zwischen der ersten Erhebungszone 234 und der zweiten Erhebungszone 236 einen Zwischenabschnitt 248 auf. Der Zwischenabschnitt 248 definiert bei der in 29 gezeigten Dichtungsanordnung eine Zwischenerhebungszone 242. In der Zwischenerhebungszone 242 ist der Zwischenabschnitt 248 in Richtung der Plattenstapellängsachse 120 erhaben gegenüber dem Basisabschnitt 246, wobei die Kompressionsschutzeinheit 118 in der ersten Erhebungszone 234 und in der zweiten Erhebungszone 236 in Richtung der Plattenstapellängsachse jeweils stärker erhaben ist als der Zwischenabschnitt 248.

29 shows a section through an edge area of another plate 100. This plate 100 is similar to the one in 28 shown plate, which is why only the differences to the one in 28 shown plate 100 can be described:

• Even in the 29 In the sealing arrangement 114 shown, the compression protection unit 118 has an intermediate section 248 between the first elevation zone 234 and the second elevation zone 236. The intermediate section 248 defines in the 29 shown sealing arrangement has an intermediate raised zone 242. In the intermediate raised zone 242, the intermediate section 248 is raised in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis 120 relative to the base section 246, wherein the compression protection unit 118 is raised more in the first raised zone 234 and in the second raised zone 236 in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis than the intermediate section 248.

29 shows that an intermediate height 252 of the compression protection unit 118 at the second elevation zone 236, which can be measured in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis from the intermediate section 248, is approximately 50% of a base height 250 of the compression protection unit at the same elevation zone 236, which can be measured in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis 120 from the base section 246.

29 shows that the bead elements 128 and 129 have flanks 142 of different heights. The number of flanks is four. A higher flank 142, which extends from the base section 246, is inclined more gently than a less high flank 142, which extends from the intermediate section 248.

In 29 the smaller inclination angle 254 of the higher flank 142 is shown as well as the larger inclination angle 256 of the less high flank 142.

The smaller angle of inclination 254 is, for example, 50°. The larger angle of inclination 256 is, for example, 60°.

30 and 31 show sections of different plates 100 in a schematic representation. The plates 100 are plates for a plate stack arrangement 102. They are separator plates 104 for fuel cell stacks 106. The separator plates 104 can be, for example, metal plates 108, which can function as bipolar plates 110 in the respective fuel cell stack 106.

In both 30 and 31 In each case, only a small section is shown, which does not show the entire sealing arrangement 114, but only the compression protection unit 118 included in the sealing arrangement.

The compression protection unit has bead elements 128 and 129. The bead elements 128 and 129 run in a compression protection unit extension direction 258, along which at least a part of the compression protection unit 118 extends. The compression protection unit extension direction 258 forms an extension angle 262 of approximately 35° with a sealing element extension direction 264, along which a part of the sealing element that is closest to the at least one part of the compression protection unit 118 extends.

30 shows that a connection of plate elements 136, not described in detail in the figure, in the edge zone 152 of the sealing arrangement 114, which is only partially shown there, exists between a sealing element 116, not shown, and the compression protection unit 118 of the sealing arrangement 114, between the compression protection unit 118 and the edge 154 and within the compression protection unit between various bead elements 128 and 129.

Also in 31 Of the sealing arrangement 114 shown there, only the compression protection unit 118 is shown. The compression protection unit 118 shown there has a first compression protection element 146 and a second compression protection element 148. The two compression protection elements 146 and 148 are formed in the edge zone 152.

The compression protection elements 146 and 148 are each completely formed in an edge zone section 270 of the edge zone.

The edge zone sections 270 extend in the radial direction from the sealing element 116 (not shown) to the edge 154. Along the edge extension direction 260, a respective edge zone section 270 extends only over a small proportion of, for example, 5% of the edge length, wherein the edge length is a length of the edge 154.

The compression protection elements 146 and 148 are each formed in a ring-shaped manner within the respective edge zone section 270, e.g. circular.

In particular in connection with the 31 it is also conceivable that a second compression protection element 148 is formed on the inside, wherein the respective second compression protection element 148 is surrounded by a first compression protection element 146. For example, bead elements 128 in the edge zone section 270 can each be formed in a ring-shaped circumferential manner, as in the 31 illustrated. These can - unlike the reference symbols in the 31 - each form a first compression protection element 146 and each surround a second compression protection element 148.

32 also shows only a section of a sealing arrangement 114, wherein the section shows the compression protection unit 118, but not the associated sealing element 116. Two compression protection elements 130, 146, 148 are formed in each of several edge zone sections 270 that follow one another along the edge extension direction 260.

A compression protection element extension 268 of the compression protection elements 130, 146, 148 that can be measured in the direction of the edge extension direction 260 is in each case greater than a compression protection element distance 266 that can be measured in the direction of the edge extension direction 260 between two adjacent compression protection elements 130, 146, 148 that are arranged or formed in successive edge zone sections 270. Such a ratio of compression protection element extension 268 to compression protection element distance 266 is also shown in 31 .

32 shows that a first of the two compression protection elements 130, 146, 148 in the edge zone 152 is further away from the edge 154 than a second of the compression protection elements 130, 146, 148.

An outer end 276 of the compression protection element 146 located further away from the edge 154 in the edge zone 152 is located further away from the edge 154 than an inner end 278 of the second compression protection element 148.

In a plurality of edge zone sections 270 which follow one another along the edge extension direction 260, one compression protection element 130, 146, 148 is formed on the inside in the edge zone 152 and another compression protection element 130, 146, 148 is formed on the outside in the edge zone 152.

The edge zone 152 comprises an outer edge zone 274 closer to the edge 154 and an inner edge zone 272 further away from the edge 154. In the outer edge zone 274, a plurality of compression protection elements 130, 146, 148 adjacent in the direction of the edge extension direction 260 are formed. In the inner edge zone 272, a plurality of compression protection elements 130, 146, 148 adjacent in the direction of the edge extension direction 260 are formed. Since 32 the compression protection elements 130, 146, 148 are shown in a roughly simplified manner only as lines, it is not apparent from the figure that the compression protection elements 130, 146, 148 can be bead elements 128.

In the 33 The sealing arrangement 114 shown is similar to that in 28 Deviating from the sealing arrangement shown in 28 The sealing arrangement shown in 33 In the sealing arrangement shown, the compression protection unit 118 is less raised in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis 120 in the first elevation zone 234 than in the second elevation zone 236 relative to the base section 246 of the sealing arrangement 114. The base section 246 lies between the sealing element 116 and the compression protection unit 118. The first elevation zone 234 is an elevation zone of the first compression protection element 146. The second elevation zone 236 is an elevation zone of the second compression protection element 148.

The first compression protection element 146 is located in the edge zone 152 further away from the edge 154 than the second compression protection element 148.

The first in 33 The compression protection element 146 shown is a bead element 128. The second in 33 The compression protection element 148 shown is a bead element 129. The second compression protection element 148 has a flatter inclined flank 142. The first compression protection element 146 has a steeper inclined flank 142. A smaller angle of inclination 254 of the flatter inclined flank 142 can be, for example, 45°. A larger angle of inclination 256 of the steeper inclined flank 142 can be, for example, 60°.

34 also shows a section of a sealing arrangement 114, wherein the compression protection unit 118 is shown, but not the sealing element 116 located outside the section.

Features of a plate element 136 facing the viewer are shown in 34 shown with solid lines. Features of a plate element 136 of the same plate 100 facing away from the viewer are shown in 34 shown with dashed lines.

In the 34 The compression protection unit 118 shown has a raised element 220 and a recessed element 222. A part of a raised element of the raised element 220 can be received in a recessed element 222. Alternatively, a part of a raised element of the raised element 220 can be received in a recessed element 222 when it is compressed during compression of the plate stack arrangement 102. along a plate stack longitudinal axis 120, a deformation of the compression protection unit 118 occurs.

Such a deformation is determined by the 35 shown section through an edge region of another plate 100. In 35 The black arrows represent a compression of a plate stack arrangement, which for example consists of plates 100 according to 35 can be constructed, along the plate stack longitudinal axis 120. The white arrows shown with black contours indicate the deformation of the compression protection unit 118. A part of the elevation 224 of the elevation element 220 of a 35 plate element 136 shown above is inserted into the recess 226 of the recess element 222 of a 35 The plate element 136 shown below can be accommodated when the compression protection unit 118 is deformed during compression along the plate stack longitudinal axis 120.

The compression protection unit 118 has an intermediate section 248 between the first elevation zone 234 and the second elevation zone 236. The intermediate section 248 forms the elevation 224. The elevation element 220 is formed by a counter elevation zone 300 in which the compression protection unit is raised between the first elevation zone 234 and the second elevation zone 236 in the opposite direction to the elevation zones 234 and 236.

34 shows that the compression protection unit 118 has a plurality of elevation elements 220 and depression elements 222. Only a portion of the depression elements 222 and the elevation elements 220 are provided with reference numerals.

A part of a protrusion 224 of each protrusion element 220 is received in a corresponding depression 226 of the depression element 222 or can be received in a corresponding depression 226 of the depression element 222 if the compression protection unit 118 is deformed upon compression of the plate stack arrangement 102 along a plate stack longitudinal axis 120.

36 shows a section through an edge area of another plate 100. The 36 The sealing arrangement 114 shown differs from that in 35 shown sealing arrangement in particular in that the elevation element 220 and the depression element 222 are each formed between bead elements 128, 129.

It may be preferred if the elevation element 220 is an elevation element 220 formed from a first plate element 136 of a plate 100 and the recess element 222 is an recess element 222 formed from a second plate element 136 of a plate 100.

37 shows a further compression protection unit 118 of a sealing arrangement 114. The degree of bending of a bead element 128 of the compression protection unit 118 increases and decreases alternately along an extension direction 294 of the compression protection unit 118. The bead element 128 of the compression protection unit 118 bends alternately in one direction and in the opposite direction along an extension direction 294 of the compression protection unit 118. The bead element 128 of the compression protection unit 118 runs straight between the alternating bends. The bead element 128 of the compression protection unit 118 runs in a meandering manner in the edge zone 152.

38 shows section AA from 37 . 38 shows that the bead element 128 has lower compression protection unit sections 290 and higher compression protection unit sections 292. A lower compression protection unit section 290 can transition into a higher compression protection unit section 292 in a bend.

A height of the compression protection unit 118 may be greater in the higher compression protection unit section 292 than a height of the compression protection unit 118 in a lower compression protection unit section 290.

39 shows cut BB from 37 . 39 shows a first elevation zone 234 and a second elevation zone 236. The first elevation zone 234 is a trunk elevation zone 286. The second elevation zone 236 is a head elevation zone 288 adjoining the trunk elevation zone in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis 120. A flank 142 of the head elevation zone 288 is more gently inclined than a flank 142 of the trunk elevation zone 286. A smaller angle of inclination 254 of a more gently inclined flank 142 of the head elevation zone 288 can be, for example, approximately 30°. A larger angle of inclination 256 of a more steeply inclined flank 142 of the trunk elevation zone 286 can be, for example, approximately 50°.

The compression protection unit has a head elevation zone 288 only in the higher compression protection unit section 292. The total height 298 is the sum of the heights of the torso elevation zone 286 and the head elevation zone 288. The torso height 296 is the height of the Hull elevation zone 286. The ratio of the hull height 296 to the total height 298 can be, for example, 0.7.

In the 40 a small section of a sealing arrangement 114 is shown. The sealing arrangement 114 comprises a compression protection unit 118 for protecting a sealing element 116 of the sealing arrangement 114 (not shown in the small section) from irreversible deformation during compression of a plate stack arrangement along a plate stack longitudinal axis.

The compression protection unit 118 has many compression protection elements 130, of which 40 one compression protection element 130 is arbitrarily referred to as a first compression protection element 146 and another compression protection element 130 is arbitrarily referred to as a second compression protection element 148.

At least one of the compression protection elements 130, 146, 148 is formed in each of a plurality of edge zone sections 270 which follow one another along an edge extension direction 260.

A compression protection element extension 268 of the compression protection elements 130, 146, 148 that can be measured in the direction of the edge extension direction 260 is greater than a compression protection element distance 266 that can be measured in the direction of the edge extension direction 260 between two adjacent compression protection elements 130, 146, 148 that are formed in successive edge zone sections 270.

The compression protection elements 130, 146, 148 are each designed to run in a ring-shaped manner within the respective edge zone section 270, e.g. circular. One bead element 128 forms each of the compression protection elements 130, i.e. also the first compression protection element 146 and the second compression protection element 148. The bead elements 128 are formed from a plate 100, e.g. from a separator plate 104.

The 40 The compression protection unit 118 shown defines a first elevation zone 234 and a second elevation zone 236. A zone of each compression protection element 130, 146, 148 closer to the sealing element (not shown) is a first elevation zone 234. A zone of each compression protection element 130, 146, 148 further away from the sealing element (not shown) is a second elevation zone 236.

The Indian 41 The section shown through one of the compression protection elements 130, 146, 148 shows that the compression protection unit 118 is raised in the first yielding zone 234 and in the second elevation zone 236 in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis 120 relative to a base section 246 of the sealing arrangement 114. The base section 246 lies between the sealing element (not shown) and the compression protection unit 118. A bead element 128 defines the two elevation zones 234, 236.

The compression protection unit 118 has an intermediate section 248 between the first elevation zone 234 and the second elevation zone 236. The intermediate sections 248 each define an intermediate elevation zone 242.

The 41 shows that the intermediate section 248 in the respective intermediate elevation zone 242 is raised in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis 120 compared to the base section 246. The compression protection unit 118 is more raised in the first yielding zone 234 and in the second elevation zone 236 in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis 120 than the intermediate section 248. The intermediate height 252 of the compression protection unit 118 at the first elevation zone 234, which can be measured from the intermediate section 248 in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis 120, is approximately 90% of the base height 250 of the compression protection unit 118 at the same elevation zone 234, which can be measured from the base section 246 in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis 120.

The 41 also shows that the bead element 128 has flanks 142 of different heights. A higher flank 142, which extends from the base section 246, is more gently inclined than a less high flank 142, which extends from the intermediate section 248. An angle of inclination 254 of the more gently inclined higher flank 142 can, for example, be approximately 10° to approximately 25° smaller than a larger angle of inclination 256 of the steeper inclined less high flank 142, as shown in the 41 is indicated as an example.

The plate 100, e.g. the separator plate 104, has two interconnected plate elements 136, wherein a main surface 138 of one plate element 136 faces a main surface 138 of the other plate element 136. One of the plate elements 136 is in the 40 facing away from the viewer. A sealing arrangement 114 is formed on the one plate element 136 that faces the viewer. The further sealing arrangement 114 is formed on the other plate element 136 that faces away from the viewer. In the 40 of the further sealing arrangement 114 only a compression protection element 130 of a further compression protection unit 118 is indicated by dashed lines. The compression protection elements 130 of the further compression protection unit 118 facing away from the viewer can, for example, be arranged next to one another as shown in the 40 for the compression protection unit 118 facing the viewer. A first compression protection unit section 184 of one compression protection unit 118 overlays a first compression protection unit section 186 of the further compression protection unit 118. A second compression protection unit section 190 of one compression protection unit 118 does not overlay a second compression protection unit section 192 of the further compression protection unit 118.

Also in the 42 a small section of a sealing arrangement 114 is shown. The sealing arrangement 114 comprises a compression protection unit 118 for protecting a sealing element 116 of the sealing arrangement 114 (not shown in the small section) from irreversible deformation during compression of a plate stack arrangement along a plate stack longitudinal axis. The 42 The plate 100 shown, e.g. the separator plate 104, has two interconnected plate elements 136, wherein a main surface 138 of one plate element 136 faces a main surface 138 of the other plate element 136. One of the plate elements 136 is in the 42 turned away from the viewer. This is also evident from the 43 shown section. A sealing arrangement 114 is formed on the one plate element 136 that faces the viewer. The further sealing arrangement 114 is formed on the other plate element 136 that faces away from the viewer. In the 42 Of the further sealing arrangement 114, only one compression protection element 130 of a further compression protection unit 118 is indicated by dashed lines. The compression protection elements 130 of the further compression protection unit 118 facing away from the viewer can, for example, be arranged next to one another as shown in the 42 for the compression protection unit 118 facing the viewer. A first compression protection unit section 184 of one compression protection unit 118 overlies a first compression protection unit section 186 of the other compression protection unit 118. The compression protection elements 130 of both compression protection units 118 are - unlike in the 40 and 41 shown arrangement - congruently one above the other.

In the 44 only a small section of a sealing arrangement 114 is shown. The sealing arrangement 114 comprises a compression protection unit 118 for protecting a sealing element 116 of the sealing arrangement 114, not shown in the small section, from irreversible deformation during compression of a plate stack arrangement along a plate stack longitudinal axis.

The compression protection unit 118 has many compression protection elements 130, of which 44 one compression protection element 130 is arbitrarily referred to as a first compression protection element 146 and another compression protection element 130 is arbitrarily referred to as a second compression protection element 148.

At least one of the compression protection elements 130 is formed in each of several edge zone sections 270 that follow one another along an edge extension direction 260. The first compression protection element 146 is formed in one edge zone section 270 and the second compression protection element 148 is formed in an adjacent edge zone section 270. In between there is another compression protection element that extends from one edge zone section 270 into an adjacent edge zone section 270.

The 44 The plate 100 shown, e.g. the separator plate 104, has two interconnected plate elements 136, wherein a main surface 138 of one plate element 136 faces a main surface 138 of the other plate element 136. One of the plate elements 136 is in the 44 turned away from the viewer. This is also evident from the 45 shown section. A sealing arrangement 114 is formed on the one plate element 136 that faces the viewer. The further sealing arrangement 114 is formed on the other plate element 136 that faces away from the viewer. The compression protection elements 130 of a further compression protection unit 118 are indicated by dashed lines on the further sealing arrangement 114. The compression protection elements 130 of the further compression protection unit 118 facing away from the viewer are formed in edge zone sections 270 as shown in the 44 for the compression protection unit 118 facing the viewer. A first compression protection unit section 184 of one compression protection unit 118 overlays a first compression protection unit section 186 of the further compression protection unit 118. A second compression protection unit section 190 of one compression protection unit 118 does not overlay a second compression protection unit section 192 of the further compression protection unit 118.

The 44 and 45 show connections 194 of the plate elements 136 in the edge zone 152 of the sealing arrangement 114.

The 44 shows that the two compression protection units 118 define elevation zones 233. The connections 194 exist within both compression protection units 118 between the different elevation zones 233. The compression protection elements 130, 146, 148 are bead elements 128, with each bead element defining an elevation zone 233.

The connections 194 have welding zones 208. In the welding zones 208, the plate elements 136 are welded together.

The connections 194 of the plate elements 136 exist between two overlap zones 188 offset from one another in the plate plane, with different compression protection unit sections of different compression protection units 118, each formed from one of the two plate elements 136, overlapping in the overlap zones 188. The compression protection elements 130, 146, 148 of both plate elements 136 represent compression protection unit sections.

In the 46 a small section of a sealing arrangement 114 is shown. This shows only a part of the compression protection unit 118 included in the sealing arrangement 114. The compression protection unit 118 defines a plurality of elevation zones 233. The compression protection unit 118 has intermediate sections 248.

Elevation zones lying opposite an intermediate section 248 may be considered as a first elevation zone 234 and a second elevation zone 236, as shown in the 46 as an example for two of the survey zones 233.

The compression protection unit 118 is raised in the first yielding zone 234 and in the second elevation zone 236 in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis 120 relative to a base portion 246 of the sealing arrangement 114. The base portion 246 lies between the sealing element 116, which is in the 46 not shown, and the compression protection unit 118.

The intermediate sections 248 define intermediate elevation zones 242, in which the intermediate section 248 is raised in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis 120 relative to the base section 246, wherein the compression protection unit 118 is raised more strongly in a plateau zone 302 in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis 120 than in the intermediate sections 248. This shows the 47 , in which a section through the 46 along the line XLVII-XLVII, as an example for one of the intermediate sections 248.

The elevation zones 233, 234, 236 merge into one another and form the plateau zone 302, which extends around several intermediate sections 248 sunk into the plateau zone 302.

In the 48 a small section of a sealing arrangement 114 is shown. This shows only a part of the compression protection unit 118 included in the sealing arrangement 114.

The compression protection unit 118 shown there has a plateau zone 302 that is raised relative to the base section 246 of the sealing arrangement 114. The plateau zone 302 is formed by elevation zones 233, 234, 236 that merge into one another. The plateau zone 302 extends around an intermediate section 248 that is sunk into the plateau zone 302. The intermediate section 248 defines an intermediate elevation zone 242 in which the intermediate section 248 is raised relative to the base section 246 in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis 120.

The compression protection unit 118 is more raised in the plateau zone 302 in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis 120 than the intermediate section 248 sunk into the plateau zone 302. The 48 The intermediate section 248 shown is a meandering intermediate section 248 sunk into the plateau zone 302.

Also in the 50 a small section of a sealing arrangement 114 is shown. This shows only a part of the compression protection unit 118 included in the sealing arrangement 114. Unlike the sealing arrangement from 48 a plurality of recessed intermediate sections 248 are provided, each of which is an intermediate elevation zone 242.

From the 47 , 49 and 51 It is clear from the sections shown that an intermediate height 252 of the compression protection unit 118 at the plateau zone 302, which can be measured in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis 120 from the respective intermediate section 248, is approximately 80% to 90% of a base height 250 of the compression protection unit 118 at the plateau zone 302, which can be measured in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis 120 from the base section 246.

From the 47 , 49 and 51 It is also clear from the sections shown that the plateau zone 302 has flanks 142 of different heights. A higher flank 142, which extends from the base section 246, is more gently inclined than a less high flank 142 which extends from the intermediate section 248.

List of reference symbols

100

plate

101

Space

102

Plate stack arrangement

103

Interpanel space

104

Separator plate

105

Implementation room

106

Fuel cell stack

108

metal plate

110

Bipolar plate

112

River field

114

Seal arrangement

116

Sealing element

118

Compression protection unit

120

Plate stack longitudinal axis

122

Sealing bead

124

Full bead

125

Port bead

126

Perimeter bead

128, 129

Beading element

130

Compression protection element

134

nub

136

Plate element

138

Main interface

140

Wall

141

Area

142

flank

144

leg

146

first compression protection element

148

second compression protection element

150

third compression protection element

152

Fringe zone

154

edge

155

Separator plate element

156

Metal plate element

158

Bipolar plate element

160, 162

surface

164

Absorption material

166, 226

deepening

168

wider sealing element section

170

narrower sealing element section

172

wider sealing bead section

174

narrower sealing bead section

176

wider compression protection unit section

178

narrower compression protection unit section

180

wider bead element section

182

narrower bead element section

184, 186

first compression protection unit section

188

Overlay zone

190, 192

second compression protection unit section

194

Connection

196

Compression protection zone

198

first layer

200

second layer

201

material

202

filling material

204, 206

Section

208

Welding zone

210

Distance

212

expansion

214

Plate intermediate

216

Precursor expansion

218

Bead precursor element

220

Survey element

222

Deepening element

224

Survey

226

deepening

228

Elevation height

230

Depth of recess

232

insulation

234

first survey zone

236

second survey zone

238

Intermediate zone

240

Interconnection zone

242

Intermediate survey zone

246

Base section

248

Intermediate section

250

Base height

252

Intermediate height

254

smaller angle of inclination

256

larger angle of inclination

258

Compression protection unit extension direction

260

Edge extension direction

262

Extension angle

264

Sealing element extension direction

266

Compression protection element distance

268

Compression protection element expansion

270

Fringe zone section

272

inner peripheral zone

274

outer peripheral zone

276

external end

278

inside end

280

first base height

282

second base height

284

third base height

286

Hull elevation zone

288

Head elevation zone

290

lower compression protection unit section

292

higher compression protection unit section

294

Extension direction of the compression protection unit

296

Hull height

298

Total height

300

Counter-survey zone

302

Plateau zone

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 20200388858 A1 [0002]
• WO 2019076813 A1 [0002]
• US 20210194019 A1 [0002]
• US 20220037680 A1 [0002]

Claims (40)

Sealing arrangement (114) for sealing a space (101) located in a plate stack arrangement (102), wherein the plate stack arrangement (102) can be, for example, a fuel cell stack (106) or a part of a fuel cell stack (106) and the space (101) can be a space (101) located therein, wherein the sealing arrangement (114) comprises the following: - a sealing element (116) for delimiting the space (101) in at least one direction, and - a compression protection unit (118) for protecting the sealing element (116) from irreversible deformation when the plate stack arrangement (102) is compressed along a plate stack longitudinal axis (120). Sealing arrangement (114) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the sealing element (116) has a sealing bead (122), wherein the sealing bead (122) is preferably formed from a plate (100) of the plate stack arrangement (102), e.g. from a separator plate (104) of the fuel cell stack (106). Sealing arrangement (114) according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 , characterized in that the compression protection unit (118) has a first compression protection element (130, 146) and a second compression protection element (130, 148). Sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compression protection unit (118) - has a bead element (128); and/or - has a multi-layer compression protection zone (196); and/or - has a raised element (220) and a recessed element (222), wherein a part of a raised element (224) of the raised element (220) is received in a recess (166, 226) of the recessed element (222). Sealing arrangement (114) according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the compression protection unit (118) has the bead element (128) and the bead element (128) is formed from one or the plate (100) of the plate stack arrangement (102), e.g. from one or the separator plate (104) of the fuel cell stack (106). Sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one compression protection unit (118) or at least a part or at least a section (204, 206) of the at least one compression protection unit (118) is arranged or formed in an edge zone (152), wherein the edge zone (152) extends from the sealing element (116) to an edge (154) delimiting the surface area of one or the plate (100) of the plate stack arrangement (102). Sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the Claims 4 until 6 , characterized in that the bead element (128) forms at least one of the two compression protection elements (130, 146, 148), wherein it is preferred if the bead element (128) forms the first compression protection element (130, 146) and the second compression protection element (130, 148). Sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the Claims 3 until 7 , characterized in that the first compression protection element (130, 146) and the second compression protection element (130, 148) are designed and/or arranged such that when the plate stack arrangement (102) is compressed along the plate stack longitudinal axis (120), compression of the first compression protection element (130, 146) begins before compression of the second compression protection element (130, 148) begins, wherein it is preferred if the bead element (128) has two flanks (142) of different heights and the higher flank (142) forms the first compression protection element (130, 146) or extends as far as the first compression protection element (130, 148). Sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the Claims 3 until 8th , characterized in that the first compression protection element (130, 146) and the second compression protection element (130, 148) are designed such that when the plate stack arrangement (102) is compressed along the plate stack longitudinal axis (120), a compression of the second compression protection element (130, 148) requires a higher expenditure of force and/or energy than a compression of the first compression protection element (130, 146). Sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the Claims 3 until 9 , characterized in that the first compression protection element (130, 146) and the second compression protection element (130, 148) are designed such that when the plate stack arrangement (102) is compressed along the plate stack longitudinal axis (120), a compression of at least the first compression protection element (130, 146) begins before it leads to an erroneous reversible deformation of the sealing element (116) occurs. Sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the Claims 4 until 10 , characterized in that the bead element (128) forms at least one of a plurality of compression protection elements (130, 146, 148, 150) and an absorption material (164) arranged on a surface (160, 162) of the bead element (128) forms a further one of a plurality of compression protection elements (130, 146, 148, 150). Sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the Claims 4 until 11 , characterized in that a recess (166, 226) is formed in a wall (140) of the bead element (128), wherein the recess (166, 226) can be formed in the same direction or in the opposite direction to the bead element (128). Sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the sealing element (116) has at least one wider and at least one narrower sealing element section (168, 170), wherein a width of the sealing element (116) in the wider sealing element section (168) is greater than a width of the sealing element (116) in the narrower sealing element section (170); and/or - the compression protection unit (118) has at least one wider and at least one narrower compression protection unit section (176, 178), wherein a width of the compression protection unit (118) in the wider compression protection unit section (176) is greater than a width of the compression protection unit (118) in the narrower compression protection unit section (178); and/or - the sealing element (116) has at least one higher and at least one lower sealing element section, wherein a height of the sealing element (116) in the higher sealing element section is greater than a width of the sealing element (116) in the lower sealing element section; and/or - the compression protection unit (118) has at least one higher and at least one lower compression protection unit section, wherein a height of the compression protection unit in the higher compression protection unit section is greater than a height of the compression protection unit in the lower compression protection unit section. Sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the Claims 6 , 8th , 9 , 10 and 13 , characterized in that the compression protection unit (118) has the multi-layer compression protection zone (196), wherein at least a portion (204, 206) of the multi-layer compression protection zone (196) is arranged or formed in the edge zone (152), wherein a first and a second layer (198, 200) of the multi-layer compression protection zone (196) are formed by the same plate (100), wherein both layers (198, 200) extend from the edge (154) delimiting the surface area of the plate (100), wherein it is preferred if the sealing bead (122) is formed from a first of the two layers (198, 200) and the second of the two layers (198, 200) extends from the edge (154) in the direction of the sealing bead (122). Sealing arrangement (114) according to Claim 14 , characterized in that a multi-layer compression protection zone (196) is formed on a section (204, 206) of the edge (154) and no multi-layer compression protection zone (196) is formed on another section (204, 206) of the edge (154) and/or a section (204, 206) of the multi-layer compression protection zone (196) is wider than another section (204, 206) of the multi-layer compression protection zone (196), wherein it may be preferred if in the wider section (204) of the multi-layer compression protection zone (196) the second of the layers (198, 200) extends further from the edge (154) in the direction of the sealing element (116) than in the other section (206) of the multi-layer compression protection zone (196), wherein it may be preferred if the wider section (204) or the other portion (206) of the multilayer compression protection zone (196) forms the first compression protection element (130, 146). Sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the Claims 4 until 15 , characterized in that the compression protection unit (118) has the raised element (220) and the recessed element (222), wherein a part of a raised element (224) of the raised element (220) is received in a recess (166, 226) of the recessed element (222), wherein the raised element (220) and the recessed element (222) can each be a bead element (128), wherein it can be preferred - if a raised height (228) of the raised element (224) is greater than a recessed depth (230) of the recess (166, 226) and/or - if flanks (142) of the raised element (224) in the recess (166, 226) are spaced apart from flanks (142) of the recess (166, 226), wherein the flanks (142) of the raised element (224) in the Recess (166, 226) to flanks (142) of the recess (166, 226) can be spaced such that the flanks (142) of the elevation (224) can spread towards the flanks (142) of the depression (166, 226). Sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compression protection unit (118) defines a first raised zone (234) and a second raised zone (236), wherein the compression protection unit (118) is raised in the first raised zone (234) and in the second raised zone (236) in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis (120) relative to a base section (246) of the sealing arrangement (114), wherein the base section (246) can preferably lie between the sealing element (116) and the compression protection unit (118), wherein it is preferred if the compression protection unit (118) has the bead element (128) and the bead element (128) defines at least one of the two raised zones (234, 236), wherein a further bead element (129) or the same bead element (128) defines a further of the two raised zones (234, 236). Sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the preceding claims, e.g. Claim 17 , characterized in that the compression protection unit (118) has a plateau zone (302) raised relative to a base portion (246) of the sealing arrangement (114), wherein it is preferred if the plateau zone (302) is formed by elevation zones (233, 234, 236) merging into one another. Sealing arrangement (114) according to Claim 17 or 18 , characterized in that the compression protection unit (118) has an intermediate section (248) between the first elevation zone (234) and the second elevation zone (236) and/or the plateau zone (302) extends around an intermediate section (248) sunk into the plateau zone (302), preferably around a plurality of intermediate sections (248) sunk into the plateau zone (302), wherein - the compression protection unit (118) in the intermediate section (248) in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis (120) is not raised relative to the base section (246) or - the intermediate section (248) defines an intermediate elevation zone (242) in which the intermediate section (248) in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis (120) is raised relative to the base section (246), wherein the compression protection unit (118) in the first yield zone (234) and in the second elevation zone (236) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (120) of the plate stack is more raised than the intermediate section (248) or wherein the compression protection unit (118) in the plateau zone (302) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (120) of the plate stack is more raised than the intermediate section (248) sunk into the plateau zone (302) or than the intermediate sections (248) sunk into the plateau zone (302). Sealing arrangement (114) according to Claim 19 , characterized in that an intermediate height (252) of the compression protection unit (118) at the first or second elevation zone (234, 236) or at the plateau zone (302) that can be measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis (120) of the plate stack starting from the intermediate section (248) is 10% to 99.8%, preferably 50% to 99%, e.g. 75% to 98%, of a base height (250) of the compression protection unit (118) at the same elevation zone (234, 236) or plateau zone (302) that can be measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis (120) of the plate stack starting from the base section (246). Sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the Claims 4 until 20 , e.g. B. 18 to 20, characterized in that the bead element (128) has flanks (142) of different heights, the bead elements (128, 129) have flanks (142) of different heights or the plateau zone (302) has flanks (142) of different heights, wherein the number of flanks (142) is preferably at least four, wherein it is preferred if a higher flank (142) which extends from the base section (246) is more gently inclined than a less high flank (142) which extends from the intermediate section (248), wherein a smaller angle of inclination (254) of the more gently inclined higher flank (142) can preferably be 15° to 70° and a larger angle of inclination (256) of the steeper inclined less high flank (142) can preferably be 20° to 90°. Sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a compression protection unit extension direction (258), along which at least a part of a compression protection unit (118) extends, assumes an extension angle (262) in a range from 5° to 85°, e.g. 20° to 70°, to a sealing element extension direction (264), along which a part of the sealing element (116) closest to the at least one part of the compression protection unit (118) extends. Sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the Claims 6 until 22 , characterized in that the compression protection unit (118) has a first compression protection element (130, 146) and a second compression protection element (130, 148) and the two compression protection elements (130, 146, 148) are arranged or formed in the edge zone (152), wherein at least a first of the compression protection elements (130, 146) is arranged or formed entirely in an edge zone section (270) of the edge zone (152), wherein the edge zone section (270) extends in the radial direction from the sealing element (116) to the edge (154) and the edge zone section (270) extends along an edge extension direction (260) over a length of at most 15% of the edge length, wherein the edge length is a length of the edge (154), wherein it is preferred if at least one of the compression protection elements (130, 146, 148) is formed in a ring-shaped manner within the edge zone section (270). Sealing arrangement (114) according to Claim 23 , characterized in that in each case at least one compression protection element (130, 146, 148) is arranged or formed in a plurality of edge zone sections (270) which follow one another along the edge extension direction (260), wherein it is preferred if a compression protection element extension (268) of at least one of the compression protection elements (130, 146, 148) which can be measured in the direction of the edge extension direction (260) is greater than a compression protection element distance (266) which can be measured in the direction of the edge extension direction (260) between two adjacent compression protection elements (130, 146, 148) which are arranged or formed in successive edge zone sections (270). Sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the Claims 6 until 24 , characterized in that at least two compression protection elements (130, 146, 148) are arranged or formed in the edge zone (152), wherein a first of the at least two compression protection elements (130, 146, 148) in the edge zone (152) is further away from the edge (154) than a second of the at least two compression protection elements (130, 146, 148), wherein it is preferred if - an outer end (276) of the compression protection element (130, 146) located further away from the edge (154) in the edge zone (152) is further away from the edge (154) than an inner end (278) of the second of the at least two compression protection elements (130, 148); and/or - in a plurality of edge zone sections (270) which follow one another along the edge extension direction (260), one compression protection element (130, 146, 148) is arranged or formed on the inside in the edge zone (152) and another compression protection element (130, 146, 148) is arranged or formed on the outside in the edge zone (152); and/or - the edge zone (152) comprises an outer edge zone (274) closer to the edge (154) and an inner edge zone (272) further away from the edge (154), in the outer edge zone (274) a plurality of compression protection elements (130, 146, 148) adjacent in the direction of the edge extension direction (260) are arranged or formed, and in the inner edge zone (272) a plurality of compression protection elements (130, 146, 148) adjacent in the direction of the edge extension direction (260) are arranged or formed; wherein it is particularly preferred if at least one of the compression protection elements (130, 146, 148) is a bead element (128), preferably a majority of the compression protection elements (130, 146, 148) are bead elements (128), e.g. B. all compression protection elements (130, 146, 148) are bead elements (128). Sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the Claims 17 until 25 , e.g. after Claim 25 , characterized in that the compression protection unit (118) is less raised in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis (120) in the first yielding zone (234) than in the second raised zone (236) relative to the base section (246) of the sealing arrangement (114), wherein the base section (246) can preferably lie between the sealing element (116) and the compression protection unit (118), wherein it is preferred if the first raised zone (234) is a raised zone (234, 236) of the first of the at least two compression protection elements (130, 146, 148) and the second raised zone (236) is a raised zone (234, 236) of the second of the at least two compression protection elements (130, 146, 148) and the first of the at least two compression protection elements (130, 146, 148) in the Edge zone (152) is further away from the edge (154) than the second of the at least two compression protection elements (130, 146, 148), wherein at least the first of the at least two compression protection elements (130, 146, 148) is a bead element (128, 129) and at least the second of the at least two compression protection elements is a bead element (128, 129), wherein it is preferred if one of the compression protection elements (130, 146, 148), e.g. the second of the compression protection elements (130, 146, 148), has a flatter inclined flank (142), and one of the compression protection elements (130, 146, 148), e.g. the first of the compression protection elements (130, 146, 148) has a steeper inclined flank (142), wherein a smaller angle of inclination (254) of the more flatly inclined flank (142) can preferably be 15° to 70° and a larger angle of inclination (256) of the more steeply inclined flank (142) can preferably be 20° to 90°. Sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the Claims 17 until 26 , characterized in that the first elevation zone (234) is a trunk elevation zone (286) and the second yielding zone (236) is a head elevation zone (288) adjoining the trunk elevation zone (286) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (120) of the plate stack, wherein it is preferred if a flank (142) of the head elevation zone (288) is more gently inclined than a flank (142) of the trunk elevation zone (286); wherein it is particularly preferred if a smaller angle of inclination (254) of a more gently inclined flank (142) of the head elevation zone (288) is 15° to 70° and a larger angle of inclination (256) of a more steeply inclined flank (142) of the trunk elevation zone is 20° to 90°. Sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compression protection unit (118) has at least one higher and at least one lower compression protection unit section (290, 292), wherein a height of the compression protection unit in the higher compression protection unit section (292) is greater than a height of the compression protection unit in the lower compression protection unit section (290), wherein it is preferred if the compression protection unit (118) has a head elevation zone (288) only in the higher compression protection unit section (292). Sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a degree of bending of the compression protection unit (118), e.g. a bead element (128) of the compression protection unit, alternately increases and decreases along an extension direction (294) of the compression protection unit (118), wherein it is preferred if the compression protection unit (118), e.g. the bead element (128) of the compression protection unit, bends alternately in one direction and in the opposite direction along an extension direction (294) of the compression protection unit (118), wherein the compression protection unit (118), e.g. the bead element (128) of the compression protection unit, can optionally run straight between the alternating bends, wherein the compression protection unit (118), e.g. B. the bead element (128) of the compression protection unit, can preferably run in a meandering manner in the edge zone (152). Sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the compression protection unit (118) has the elevation element (220) and the recess element (222), wherein a part of an elevation (224) of the elevation element (220) is received in a recess (166, 226) of the recess element (222); and/or - the compression protection unit (118) has a raised element (220) and a recessed element (222), wherein a part of a raised element (224) of the raised element (220) can be received in a recess (166, 226) of the recessed element (222) if a compression of the plate stack arrangement (102) along a plate stack longitudinal axis (120) leads to a deformation of the compression protection unit (118), wherein it can be advantageous if the compression protection unit (118) has a plurality of raised elements (220) and recessed elements (222), wherein a part of a raised element (224) of each raised element (220) is received in a corresponding recess (166, 226) of the recessed element (222) or in a corresponding recess (166, 226) of the recessed element (222) can be accommodated if a deformation of the compression protection unit (118) occurs during a compression of the plate stack arrangement (102) along a plate stack longitudinal axis (120). Sealing arrangement (114) according to Claim 30 , characterized in that at least a part of the elevation element (220) and at least a part of the recess element (224) is formed between bead elements (128), wherein it is preferred if the elevation element (220) is an elevation element (220) formed from a first plate element (136) of a plate (100) and the recess element (222) is a recess element (222) formed from a second plate element (136) of a plate (100). Plate stack arrangement (102), e.g. fuel cell stack (106), in particular for a motor vehicle, wherein the plate stack arrangement (102), e.g. the fuel cell stack (106), comprises: - a plurality of plates (100), e.g. a plurality of separator plates (104), - a space (101) located in the plate stack arrangement (102), wherein the plate stack arrangement (102) can be, for example, a fuel cell stack (106) or a part of a fuel cell stack (106) and the space can be a space (101) located therein, and - a sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the Claims 1 until 31 , the sealing element (116) of which delimits the space (101) in at least one direction, wherein it is preferred if - the sealing element (116) has two sealing beads (122) facing each other and - one of the two sealing beads (122) is formed from one of two adjacent plates (100), e.g. separator plates (104), and rises in the direction of the other sealing bead (122) from the respective plate plane of the respective plate (100), e.g. the separator plate (104). Plate stack arrangement (102), e.g. fuel cell stack (106), according to Claim 32 , characterized in that the compression protection unit (118) has two compression protection sub-units, and at least one of the two compression protection sub-units rises in the direction of the other compression protection sub-unit or into the other compression protection sub-unit from a plate plane of at least one of the two plates (100), e.g. at least one of the two separator plates (104), wherein it is preferred if - at least one compression protection sub-unit has a bead element (128); and/or - at least one of the compression protection sub-units has a plateau zone (302); and/or - at least one compression protection sub-unit has a multi-layer compression protection zone (196); and/or - one of the compression protection subunits has a raised element (220) and the other of the compression protection subunits has a recessed element (222), wherein a part of a raised element (224) of the raised element (220) is received in a recess (166, 226) of the recessed element (222). Plate stack arrangement (102), e.g. fuel cell stack (106), according to Claim 32 or 33 , characterized in that the plate stack arrangement (102), e.g. the fuel cell stack (106), comprises the following: - a further space (101) located in the plate stack arrangement (102), and - a further sealing arrangement (114), the sealing element (116) of which delimits the further space (101) in at least one direction, wherein the further sealing arrangement (114) preferably comprises a further sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the Claims 1 until 31 can be, wherein it is preferred if both spaces are plate spaces which each extend between two plates (100) adjacent in the plate stack arrangement, wherein it is preferred if only one of the plates (100) lies between the two plate spaces. Plate stack arrangement (102), e.g. fuel cell stack (106), according to one of the Claims 32 until 34 , characterized in that at least one plate (100) of the plate stack arrangement (102), e.g. at least one separator plate (104) of the fuel cell stack (106), has two plate elements (136) connected directly or indirectly to one another, wherein a main surface (138) of one plate element (136) faces a main surface (138) of the other plate element (136). Plate stack arrangement (102), e.g. fuel cell stack (106), according to Claim 35 , characterized in that an indirect or direct connection (194) of the plate elements (136) in the edge zone (152) of a sealing arrangement (114) - between the sealing element (116) and the compression protection unit (118) of the sealing arrangement (114); and/or - between the compression protection unit (118) and the edge (154); and/or - within the compression protection unit (118), e.g. between different compression protection elements (130, 146, 148), different elevation zones (234, 236), different compression protection unit sections (176, 178, 184, 186, 190, 192, 290, 292) or different bead elements (128, 129). Plate stack arrangement (102), e.g. fuel cell stack (106), according to Claim 34 or 35 , characterized in that the further sealing arrangement (114) is a further sealing arrangement (114) according to one of the Claims 1 until 31 wherein at least a first compression protection unit section (184) of the one compression protection unit (118) superimposes a first compression protection unit section (186) of the further compression protection unit (118), wherein at least a second compression protection unit section (190) of the one compression protection unit (118) does not superimpose a second compression protection unit section (192) of the further compression protection unit (118). Plate stack arrangement (102), e.g. fuel cell stack (106), according to Claim 36 , characterized in that the two compression protection unit sections (184, 186) of the one compression protection unit (118) are formed from one of the interconnected plate elements (136) and the two compression protection unit sections (190, 192) of the further compression protection unit (118) are formed from the other of the interconnected plate elements (136). Plate stack arrangement (102), e.g. fuel cell stack (106), according to Claim 37 , characterized in that an indirect or direct connection (194) of the plate elements (136) exists between two superposition zones (188) offset from one another in the plate plane, wherein in the superposition zones (188) different compression protection units (118) or compression protection unit sections (184, 186, 190, 192) of different compression protection units (118), each formed from one of the two plate elements (136), overlap. Plate stack arrangement (102), e.g. fuel cell stack (106), according to one of the Claims 35 until 38 , characterized in that a distance (210) of a compression protection unit (118) to a nearest point at which there is an indirect or direct connection (194) of the plate elements (136) is at most 200% of a largest extent (212) of the compression protection unit (118) in the direction of the plate stack longitudinal axis (120), wherein a distance (210) of a bead element (128), elevation element (220) or depression element (222) formed from at least one of the plate elements (136) to a nearest point at which there is an indirect or direct connection (194) of the plate elements (136) can be at most 200% of the depth of the depression element (222) or at most 200% of the height of the bead element (128) or the elevation element (220).

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