Polymer electrolyte membrane electrochemical fuel cells and stacks with adhesively bonded layers
US6495278B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 10, 2000 |
| Grant date | Dec 17, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 10, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electrochemical cell stack comprises a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies interposed between pairs of separator plates. The stack comprises adhesively bonded layers. Preferably each membrane electrode assembly is adhesively bonded to the adjacent pair of separator plates. The adhesive bond between the plate and membrane electrode assembly preferably provides a substantially gas and liquid-tight seal around the perimeter of the electrochemically active area of the membrane electrode assembly and around any fluid manifold openings formed therein. Alternatively, or in addition, adjoining pairs of separator plates in an electrochemical cell stack may be adhesively bonded together. Such pairs of adhesively bonded plates may define cooling spaces between neighboring cells. Stacks comprising a plurality of individual cell modules may be formed, each module comprising a membrane electrode assembly bonded to a pair of separator plates.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.