Fuel cell system with annular sealing assembly

US6361894B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• HELIOCENTRIS ENERGIESYSTEME GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Matthias Bronold · Berlin, DE
• Christian Leu · Berlin, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 28, 2000
• Grant date: Mar 26, 2002
• Expiry date: Feb 28, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E60/50
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A fuel cell stack including bipolar plates disposed between membrane-electrode units. The stack has two end-position monopolar plates. Two current collectors and two end plates enclose the stack on opposite sides said current collectors have at least one collector passage hole with a port end face. The stack includes at least one connection port and substantially annular sealing elements. The two end plates have at least one end plate passage hole communicating with the at least one connection port and the at least one collector passage hole. The sealing elements each have an opening. A single sealing element completely seals the transporting of media between the end face of a connection port and the end-position media-carrying plate by being disposed in the passage holes in the end plate and the current collector for transporting the reaction and cooling media to and from the opening in the adjoining end-position plate.