Separator for fuel cell, fuel cell incorporating the same, and method of production of the same
US6291094A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 3, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 18, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 3, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P70/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An inexpensive and corrosion resistant metal-made gas separator includes a base formed by joining formed stainless steel base sheets face to face. The base carries on each of opposite surfaces thereof a first coating layer formed by plating with tin. The base is also coated with a second coating layer of a thermal expansion graphite. When incorporated into a fuel cell, the separator contacts gas diffusion electrodes that are formed from a carbon material similar to the carbon material of the second coating layer, so that the contact resistance is reduced. The first coating layer is formed after a passive state coating is removed from the stainless steel surface, so that an increase in the internal resistance of the separator caused by the passive state coating is substantially prevented.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.