Molded fuel cell plates with seals
US6599653B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 15, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 29, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 25, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/4911
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A fuel cell unit incorporates a pair of plates; one plate an anode, the other a cathode. Respective anode and cathode plates are physically bonded together to form such pairs; wherein pluralities of the pairs are secured together to form commercially available fuel cells utilized to generate electric power. Seals employed between respective pairs of plates are in the nature of resilient beads arranged about selected areas of the plates to confine paths for fluids adapted to flow within said selected areas. A combination sealing and bonding method for manufacturing such fuel cell units involves the injection of a rapidly curable liquid silicone into aligned mold gating apertures of the respective pairs of the plates, whereby liquid silicone flows through and between the plates to a) seal between respective anode and cathode plates pairs and to b) form an insulation layer on the backside of the anode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.