Tunnel cross section for more uniformed contact pressure distribution on metal bead seal at the intersection between bead and tunnel
US10547064B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 5, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jan 28, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 23, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T90/40
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A fuel cell flow field plate providing a uniform gas flow pressure includes a first metal plate and a second metal plate. The first metal plate defines a first opening for providing a first reactant gas to a fuel cell with a first metal bead that surrounds the first opening. The first metal bead is an embossment that defines a first channel. A first plurality of tunnels provides a passage into and out of the first metal bead. Each tunnel of the first plurality of tunnels has an inlet tunnel section that leads to the first metal bead and an outlet tunnel section that extends from the first metal bead to provide the first reactant gas to first reactant gas flow channels defined by the first metal plate. Characteristically, the inlet tunnel section and the outlet tunnel section each having a curved cross section with an opened base side.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.