Patent · US Active

Composite separator for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell and method for manufacturing the same

US9257706B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
4References
6Claims
0Family size

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Key dates

Filing dateJan 26, 2015
Grant dateFeb 9, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 26, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T156/108
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a composite separator for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. The method comprises: preparing a prepreg as a continuous carbon fiber-reinforced composite and a graphite foil; allowing the cut prepreg and graphite foil to pass through a stacking/compression roller to be compressed; allowing the prepreg in which the graphite foil is integrally stacked to be heated and pressed by a hot press such that hydrogen, air, and coolant flow fields are formed or to pass through a hot roller to be formed into a separator; removing unnecessary portions from the heated and pressed separator using a trim cutter; and post-curing the thus formed separator, wherein the graphite foil may be stacked on the prepreg as the continuous carbon fiber-reinforced composite such that a graphite layer is integrally formed with the prepreg.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.