Fuel cell construction and method of manufacturing a fuel cell
US4252868A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 28, 1979 |
| Grant date | Feb 24, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 28, 1999 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49108
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A fuel cell is provided which comprises a matrix layer of an electrolyte in a material which chemically and physically absorbs the electrolyte, such as a polyester fiber bonded with phenol formaldehyde resin. A porous anode electrode and a porous cathode electrode are arranged at respective sides of the matrix layer. The electrolyte comprises polyphosphoric acid. At least one of the electrodes comprises an additional electrolyte carrier, for example, a tungsten carbide electrode having pores which contain a polyphosphoric acid. A method is also disclosed for forming the cell from a matrix of a plurality of fiber materials and using a polymeric binder for the materials. The marix is dipped in a polyphosphoric acid so that a reaction takes place between the acid and the polymer fiber. The cathode and the anode are arranged on respective sides of the matrix and stacking together. An anode of tungsten carbide material is used, having a portion which also carries the electrolyte in the pores thereof. The method includes treating the tungsten cabide electrode with a polyphosphoric acid to permit it to penetrate into the pores of the tungsten carbide electrode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.