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This tester applies regulated compressed air to sealed bipolar plate channels and monitors pressure changes over a set interval. A pressure drop exceeding the calibrated threshold indicates a leak. The system uses mechanical pressure regulation via a front-panel knob, allowing operators to set and adjust test pressure manually without navigating external software. The test chamber uses a pneumatic compression mechanism to seal the plate against custom gaskets, ensuring consistent contact pressure across the sealing surface.
Yuanzhi manufactures each unit to order, integrating leak detection instrumentation, fixturing, and safety controls into a single cabinet. The control panel includes a digital display for pressure and leak rate readouts, start and stop controls, and a red emergency-stop button. Yellow safety light curtains mounted on both sides of the test area halt the compression cycle if an operator reaches inside.
The test sequence follows four stages: fill, stabilize, measure, and exhaust. First, the plate is loaded onto the fixture and the pneumatic press closes to create a sealed volume. Compressed air fills the channels until the target pressure, set by the mechanical regulator knob, is reached. After a stabilization period, the system isolates the volume and records pressure over the measurement window. The leak rate is calculated from the pressure difference and displayed in the selected unit, such as Pa, mbar, or sccm. Upon completion, the chamber exhausts automatically and the press opens.
Because bipolar plates contain multiple independent flow fields, the tester can be configured to test each channel separately or all channels simultaneously, depending on the customer's quality protocol. Fixtures are machined to match the plate's active area and port locations.
Mechanical pressure regulation: A rotary knob on the control panel sets the test pressure directly, providing tactile feedback and eliminating dependence on external software.
Pneumatic sealing press: A guided cylinder compresses the bipolar plate against custom gaskets with repeatable force.
Safety light curtains: Two side-mounted curtains interrupt the press cycle when the test zone is breached, protecting line operators.
Digital leak display: The panel shows real-time pressure and calculated leak rate in user-selected units.
Custom fixturing: Each machine includes tooling machined to the customer's plate dimensions and port layout.
Emergency stop: A red mushroom-head button cuts power to the pneumatic circuit immediately.
This equipment serves fuel cell developers and manufacturers that need leak verification of bipolar plates before stack assembly. Common use cases include production-line quality control for graphite and metal bipolar plates, incoming inspection of supplier-supplied plates, research and development testing of new plate designs and gasket materials, and validation of welding and bonding processes for plate assemblies. By detecting leaks at the component level, manufacturers prevent defective plates from reaching stack assembly, reducing rework costs and supporting stack durability.
Because bipolar plate geometries and test protocols vary by manufacturer, each system is built to specification. Customers provide the following information to receive a configured quote: part number or product name, required pressure range, test medium and acceptable leakage rate, operating temperature range, floor-space and height constraints, test piece drawings or a 3D model in STP format, functional requirements such as single-channel versus multi-channel testing, and target cycle time per part. The engineering team reviews these inputs and proposes a fixture design, instrument selection, and cycle-time estimate before manufacturing begins.
Each tester undergoes a factory acceptance test using a calibrated leak standard before shipment. Installation and operator training are available on site. The control system stores test results, which can be exported for quality records. Spare parts, including gaskets and regulator assemblies, are available for reorder.
It uses the pressure decay method. The system charges the sealed plate to a set pressure, isolates the volume, and measures the pressure drop over time to calculate the leak rate.
The standard configuration uses mechanical pressure regulation via a front-panel knob. Operators turn the knob to set the desired test pressure directly.
Yes. The fixturing and valve manifold can be configured to test each channel individually or all channels together, based on the customer's quality protocol.
The display can be configured to show Pa, mbar, or sccm, depending on the customer's preference and applicable industry standard.
Cycle time depends on plate volume, target pressure, and required sensitivity. The engineering team provides a cycle-time estimate after reviewing the customer's plate drawings and test specifications.
