Fuel cell
US8304142B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 14, 2011 |
| Grant date | Nov 6, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 14, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) is provided in which the structure is simplified and the thickness is reduced without impairing diffusibility of fuel, air and generated products. An anode catalyst layer and a cathode catalyst layer sandwich an electrolyte membrane. Liquid fuel stored in a fuel chamber is directly supplied to the anode catalyst layer. Current collectors are respectively provided adjacent to the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer. Each of the current collectors is formed of a flat conductive sheet in which a plurality of fine pores is provided to extend through the current collector in a direction substantially perpendicular to the planar direction. A part or the entirety of each current collector is embedded in a respective catalyst layer, and the sides of each current collector defining the pores are tapered with respect to a direction substantially perpendicular to the planar direction of the catalyst layer in which the current collector is embedded.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.