Bipolar plate and fuel cell comprising such a bipolar plate
US7468216B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 6, 2006 |
| Grant date | Dec 23, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 26, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/31678
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The invention relates to a bipolar plate, for fuel cells, including a layer of a hydrophobic material which is soluble in a solvent, on the surfaces thereof. Water forms small droplets on the surfaces of the bipolar plate due to said layer, which are loosely held on the surface of the bipolar plate and which can be reliably removed from the fuel cell even with low flow speeds for the operating gases. The thickness of the layer and thus the hydrophobicity thereof and the electrical contact resistance between the bipolar plate and a contacting electrode may be adjusted in a simple manner, by varying the concentration of the hydrophobic material in the solvent.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.