Unitized barrier and flow control device for electrochemical reactors
US6232010A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 8, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 15, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 8, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The invention provides for reducing the number of parts and the number of interfaces found in certain types of chemical reactors, particularly in electrochemical reactors, and especially in the type or reactor known as a fuel cell or fuel cell stack. This reduction comes from the use of a unified structure that combines the functions normally carried out by several components in the unit, particularly by combining the functions of the gas distribution structure and the gas diffusion structure, the gas distribution structure and the gas barrier structure, or all three structures into a single, unitary, metallic part. This offers the advantages of simplified design, better performance, and lighter weight.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.