Bi-zone water transport plate for a fuel cell
US6617068B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 27, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 27, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The invention is a bi-zone water transport plate for a fuel cell wherein the plate includes a water permeability zone and a bubble barrier zone. The bubble barrier zone extends between all reactive perimeters of the plate, has a pore size of less than 20 microns, and has a thickness of less than 25 percent of a shortest distance between opposed contact surfaces of the plate. The water permeability zone has a pore size of at least 100 percent greater than the pore size of the bubble barrier zone, and has a thickness of greater than 75 percent of the shortest distance between the opposed contact surfaces of the plate. By having a separate bubble barrier zone, the plate affords enhanced water permeability while the bubble barrier maintains a gas seal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.