Method for detecting electrical defects in membrane electrode assemblies
US7179553B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 6, 2002 |
| Grant date | Feb 20, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 11, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method and system for detecting imperfections in a membrane electrode assembly of an electrochemical fuel cell, and more particularly for detecting defects within a proton exchange membrane in a membrane electrode assembly which is optionally sandwiched between conductive diffusion media layers or between conductive diffusion layers with at least one rigid solid that is transparent to infrared radiation. A potential voltage is applied across the membrane and the presence of a defect and preferably the location of a defect is determined by monitoring variations in intensity level of infrared radiation emitted from a surface of the membrane electrode assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.