Unique pre-form design for two-step forming of stainless steel fuel cell bipolar plates
US8778567B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jul 15, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 22, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P70/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A bipolar plate used in a fuel cell and a method of making a bipolar plate. The sheet is made from a ferritic or austenitic stainless steel, and defines an undulated surface pattern such that the patterned sheet may be formed into the bipolar plate. In one configuration, a stamping or related metal forming tool operation will further deform the patterned sheet into the bipolar plate shape such that the wall thickness is substantially uniform throughout the surface. In this way, there is a substantial reduction in stretching/thinning/necking at an intersection between bends and side walls that define the undulations of the pattern. In one form, the pattern defines a repeating serpentine shape. In a particular embodiment, the bends may include surface modifications to reduce the effects of sheet-to-tool misalignment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.