Fluid flow-fields for electrochemical devices
US7097931B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 27, 2002 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 22, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed is a novel fluid flow field plate for use in a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The flow field plate is made of a suitable electrically conducting material and comprises a substantially planar surface, a flow field formed in said substantially planar surface, said flow field comprising a plurality of staggered lands defining a network of substantially symmetric interconnected orifices and diagonal channels in the flow field and a fluid supply manifold through which fuel and an oxidant are introduced to the flow field and a fluid exhaust manifold through which reaction by-products and excess fuel and oxidant are removed from the flow field. Streams of the fuel, oxidant and reaction by-products are continually separated and diverted into separate channels, and the separated streams are then mixed with streams from adjacent channels in the orfices.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.