Patent · US Expired

Bipolar plates for fuel cell stacks

US6706437B2 · kind B2 · utility

8Cited by

6References

3Claims

0Family size

Assignee

SGL Carbon AG · DE

Inventors

Victor Trapp · Augsburg, DE
Markus Leib · Meitingen, DE
Ruediger Hengl · Meitingen, DE
Tetsu Yamamoto · Kawasaki, JP

Key dates

Filing date	Jan 10, 2001
Grant date	Mar 16, 2004
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Mar 8, 2021

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY02E60/50
WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

This invention relates to bipolar plates for electrochemical cells, particularly low-temperature fuel cells, with surface modification to enhance through-plate conductivity, processes for improving the surface properties of those bipolar plates, and fuel cell assemblies made with such plates. Graphite-polymer composite bipolar plates with high bulk conductivity are subjected to an abrasive surface treatment to improve the surface contact as well as the reactant transfer to the adjacent gas diffusion electrodes.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.