Patent · US Expired

Gas diffusion layer for an electrochemical cell

US7432008B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by
6References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 8, 2003
Grant dateOct 7, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 7, 2025

Classification

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

Abstract

An electrochemical cell includes: a membrane electrode assembly: first and second reactant flow field plates for providing first and second reactant flow fields disposed on either side of the membrane electrode assembly. A first seal is disposed between the first reactant flow field plate and the membrane electrode assembly for impeding leakage of process fluids of the electrochemical cell. A first gas diffusion layer is disposed between the first reactant flow field plate and the membrane electrode assembly for diffusing reactant from the first reactant flow field to the membrane electrode assembly. The gas diffusion layer provides a peripheral support structure for supporting the membrane electrode assembly at a periphery between the first reactant flow field and the first seal to impede substantial distortion of the membrane electrode assembly between the first reactant flow field and the first seal.

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