Bipolar plate for fuel cell
US8097385B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 12, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jan 17, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 16, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present disclosure provides for a bipolar plate assembly for use in a fuel cell stack. The bipolar plate assembly includes: (a) at least one flow field layer defining a flow field portion and a perimeter portion; (b) at least one core assembly including at least one porous carbon layer and at least one impermeable layer; and (c) a cathode side reactant and an anode side reactant. The at least a first flow field layer is made from a porous carbon material and the perimeter portion is impregnated with a polymer material. The porous carbon layer is joined to: (i) the at least one impermeable layer on a first side by an adhesive material; and (ii) the flow field layer perimeter on a second side by a second adhesive material. The at least a first flow field layer defines reactant inlet and outlet ports and reactant flow passageways for each of the cathode side reactant and the anode side reactant. A method of making such a bipolar plate as described herein is also provided, as well as a method for rendering a layer of carbon material substantially impervious to a liquid agent such as an acid and rendering the porous carbon components wettable to retain an acidic liquid electrolyte. …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.