Method for producing bipolar plates for fuel cells

US11594741B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. · DE
• Technische Universitaet Dresden · DE

Inventors

• Eckhard Beyer · Alsbach, DE
• Teja Roch · Dresden, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 5, 2019
• Grant date: Feb 28, 2023
• Expiry date: Apr 3, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P70/50
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A method for producing bipolar plates for fuel cells, one metal strip or two metal strips is/are guided through a second or third device. The second device is designed to carry out fine cleaning and/or nitriding of the metal strip, and the third device carries out surface coating on one side of a surface with a metal layer that improves adhesion. Applying a carbon layer in a fourth device. The metal strips are then shaped, during which process channels are formed. The shaped metal strips are moved and positioned such that surface regions come into contact with one another. Joining is performed with a laser beam, which is directed into a gap between the shaped metal strips moved towards one another. The individual steps in the devices, like shaping and joining, are carried out in a continuous process.