Cathode reactant flow field component for a fuel cell stack
US5558955A · kind A · utility
19Cited by
10References
30Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 7, 1994 |
| Grant date | Sep 24, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 7, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49112
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The reactant flow field on the cathode side of a fuel cell assembly is formed from a plate made from carbon particles that are bonded together by a fluorocarbon polymer binder. The cathode reactant flow field is non-porous, and is hydrophobic due to the presence of the poller binder. The carbon particles are preferably carbon flakes which pack together very tightly, and require only a minor amount of the polymer binder to form a solid plate. The plate will provide cathode reactant flow channels, will conduct electrons and heat and will minimize acid absorption in a fuel cell stack due to its hydrophobic nature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.