Electrode substrate with integral edge seal and method of forming the same
US4845840A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 12, 1988 |
| Grant date | Jul 11, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 12, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/4911
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The edges of a porous substrate plate used in a fuel cell power plant are densified by impregnating a suspension of finely divided material in the interstitial spaces in the plate edges. The suspension, in the form of an "ink" is forced into the plate edges via a pressure differential applied through the plate between two press blocks. The ink is forced into the plate after a catalyst layer has been applied to one surface of the substrate plate. The ink thus penetrates to the inner surface of the catalyst layer, and also forms an integral filler band outwardly of the catalyst layer, which filler band has a top surface which is coplanar with the top surface of the catalyst layer. After the impregnation step, the seals are dried to form a dense low porosity border on the substrate plates which will fill with electrolyte to form a wet seal that prevents gas crossover through the edges of the substrate plates.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.