Laser welding of conductive coated metallic bipolar plates
US8089027B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 11, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jan 3, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P70/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention discloses a method of efficiently manufacturing fuel cells having coated bipolar plates. The present invention contemplates the laser welding together of individual plates already having a coating thereon to form the bipolar plates that are used in a fuel cell. The laser welding of the coated plates together does not result in sensitization of the plates to a magnitude sufficient to cause an undesirable level of corrosion resistance. This result is achieved regardless of the presence of the organic coating in the region of the plates being welded and regardless of the ablating of the organic coating by the laser beam.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.