Lightweight direct methanol fuel cell
US7189468B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 18, 2002 |
| Grant date | Mar 13, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 5, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A lightweight direct methanol fuel cell unit (20) comprising a fuel cell stack (24) enclosed within a housing (22). In one embodiment the fuel cell stack includes a plurality of polymer electrolyte membrane electrode assemblies (52) stacked alternatingly with a plurality of bipolar plates (48). Each bipolar plate includes a cathode flow field (78) defined by a porous cathode flow field structure (56) and an anode flow field (62) defined by an upper plate (58) and a lower plate (60) separated from one another by a plurality of spacers (64). The anode flow fields are manifolded with one another via manifold embossments (118, 120) that are hermetically sealed with one another with a gasket (126). The fuel cell stack and housing are shaped so as to form four manifold regions (36) in the spaces between the fuel cell stack and housing. The fuel cell stack is compressed within the housing by compression members (94) located between the fuel cell stack and housing so as to place the sidewall (30) of the housing into tension. Supporting systems for the fuel cell unit include a fuel handling system (502), an oxidant handling system (600), and a liquid inventory control system (700).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.