Fuel Cell Stack Assembly With BAND-IT Ultra-Lok Band Clamps
September 23.2024 | Product News
The world is in a race to decarbonize our energy sources, shifting away from fossil fuels. The U.S. Federal Government has a historic opportunity to lead the way in decarbonization with its goal of achieving 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035 and a net-zero carbon economy by 2050. Included in this transition is the adoption of battery electric vehicles for light-duty transportation and hydrogen fuel cell technology for delivery vans, buses and medium- and heavy-duty trucks.
Hydrogen fuel cell stacks generate electricity by combining compressed hydrogen with oxygen from the air. The number of cells within a fuel cell stack determines the system’s power output. Because these stacks are assembled under tremendous compression, they require a high-strength band clamp solution capable of withstanding cumulative tensile loads that can exceed 80 kN (18,000 lbs.).
The BAND-IT tensile load calculator helps determine the number of Ultra-Lok® single-wrap or double-wrap band clamps required to achieve the tensile force needed for a fuel cell stack application. Contact BAND-IT to learn more about selecting the appropriate clamp configuration.
This is where BAND-IT steps in. The Ultra-Lok clamp system is one of the strongest fastening systems we produce, made from ¼-inch stainless steel for added tensile strength. The Ultra-Lok Free End band clamp is an efficient alternative to custom tie rods and fabricated brackets when assembling fuel cell stacks.
Why Choose Ultra-Lok for Fuel Cell Stack Applications?
Key benefits of the Ultra-Lok Free End band clamp system include:
- Reducing cost and lead time – No tooling or unique parts to design.
- Conforms to irregular shapes – The band conforms to the shape of the fuel cell stack as the band is tensioned.
- Shorten assembly cycle time – Reduce the number of components required during assembly.
- Maximize range and fuel efficiency – Ultra-Lok can reduce the fuel cell stack package size by as much as 20% and decrease stack weight by 10%-15%.
- Scalability – Available as a single-wrap or double-wrap band clamp depending on tensile load requirements.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the Ultra-Lok Clamp System for fuel cell stack applications, please reach out to BAND-IT for more information.