Bifurcation of flow channels in bipolar plate flowfields
US7718298B2 · kind B2 · utility
12Cited by
5References
14Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 12, 2007 |
| Grant date | May 18, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 14, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A bipolar plate for a fuel cell is provided that includes a flowfield having an active surface with an inlet region and an outlet region. The active surface of the flowfield is in communication with the inlet region and the outlet region and has at least one flow channel formed therein. The at least one flow channel further has a cross-sectional area at the outlet region that is less than a cross-sectional area at the inlet region. In particular embodiments, the at least one flow channel is bifurcated. A fuel cell stack including a fuel cell and the bipolar plate is also provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.