Abstract: A method for fabricating a seal-integrated separator for a fuel cell is presented, with which seals can be accurately positioned and the assembling time for the fuel cells may be greatly reduced. The method comprises the steps of: providing an upper mold having a groove positioned corresponding to second and fourth seals disposed on one side of a separator body, and a lower mold having a groove positioned corresponding to first and third seals disposed on the other side of the separator body; holding the separator body between the upper mold and the lower mold; and injecting melted seal material to form the seals into each of the grooves in the upper mold and the lower mold through separate gates respectively formed in the upper and lower molds. Through this method, a seal-integrated separator having the first to fourth seals which are integrated on both sides of the separator body is fabricated.

Abstract: In a solid polymer electrolyte membrane [film] type fuel cell of the invention, where a pair of electrodes are provided on opposite sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane [film], and the outside thereof is clamped by a pair of separators, and nonconductive picture frame-shaped members 61 are arranged at the outer edge portions of the separators, for allowing increase and decrease of a space between separators, while sealing a gap between the separators.

Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a base film and a moisture-proof layer. The moisture-proof layer may be disposed on an outer edge portion of the base film. The solid polymer electrolyte membrane according to an embodiment of the present invention is for use in a fuel cell, and comprises the base film having an electricity-generating region and a non-electricity-generating region, and the moisture-proof layer disposed on at least a part of the non-electricity-generating region. A fuel cell using the solid polymer electrolyte membrane is also provided.

Abstract: A method for mounting a seal in a fuel cell comprising: a membrane electrode assembly formed by holding an electrolyte membrane between a first electrode and a second electrode and having a seal mounting portion; a separator plate layered on both surfaces of the membrane electrode assembly so as to form gas passage; and a frame-shaped separator plate held between the membrane electrode assembly and the separator plate so as to seal the gas passage in air tight. The method comprises: preforming the seal into a predetermined shape; setting the seal at the mounting portion of the membrane electrode assembly; and integrally forming the seal with the membrane electrode assembly.

Abstract: A seal in a fuel cell for sealing a membrane electrode assembly comprises a pair of catalytic electrode layers, a polymerized electrolytic membrane held between the catalytic layers, and a gas diffusion layer layered on the outer surface of the catalytic electrode layer. The seal is integrally formed with the polymerized electrolytic membrane. The height thereof is greater than that of the gas diffusion layer. The difference between the heights of the polymerized electrolytic membrane and the gas diffusion layer is constant.

Abstract: The fuel cell of the present invention comprises: a membrane electrode assembly having a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode side diffusion electrode (an anode electrode, and a second diffusion layer) disposed at one side of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and a cathode side diffusion electrode (a cathode electrode, and a first diffusion layer) disposed at the other side of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane; a pair of separators which hold the membrane electrode assembly; a projecting portion which extends from the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and which projects from the peripheries of the anode side diffusion electrode and the cathode side diffusion electrode; and a seal, provided on the separators, which was liquid sealant at the time of application. The seal makes contact with the projecting portion while the membrane electrode assembly is disposed between the separators.

Abstract: A fuel cell is provided where assembly of the seals is facilitated and excellent sealability and miniaturization becomes possible. This is achieved by a fuel cell (N) where an electrode film structure (12) having an anode electrode (A) provided on one side of a solid polymer electrolyte film (15), and a cathode electrode (C) provided on the other side thereof is clamped with an anode-side separator (13) and a cathode-side separator (14), wherein a groove (38) is provided in a surface (13a, 14a) of each separator (13) and (14) corresponding to the outer peripheral portion of the anode electrode (A) or the cathode electrode (C), and a seal (S1) having a circular shape in cross-section and with a fin (F) is provided in this groove (38).

Abstract: The fuel cell of the present invention comprises: a membrane electrode assembly having a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode side diffusion electrode located at one side of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and a cathode side diffusion electrode located at the other side of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, the anode side diffusion electrode comprising an anode electrode, and a first gas diffusion layer, the cathode side diffusion electrode comprising a cathode electrode, and a second gas diffusion layer; a pair of separators which hold the membrane electrode assembly; and a seal, provided onto the separators, which was liquid sealant at the time of application. The sealant makes contact with at least one of end faces of the first gas diffusion layer and the second gas diffusion layer, while the membrane electrode assembly is located between the separators.

Abstract: An automotive road wheel with improved vibration characteristics comprises a wheel body, and at least one pocket defined in the wheel body for altering a resonant frequency of vibrations of the wheel body. The wheel body is preferably formed of aluminum or a lightweight metal alloy, and includes a rim, a hub, and a plurality of spokes radially connected between the rim and the hub. The pocket is an enclosed space within the wheel body, the wheel preferably includes a plurality of the pockets defined in the spokes, respectively, a vibration damping material may be disposed in some or all of the pockets, and a sheet of vibration damping material may also be disposed concentrically about the rim.

Abstract: The joint boot having excellent cold resistance is obtained by compounding the cross-linking components (a), (b) and (c) with chlorinated polyethylene having a chlorine content of 31 to 34% by weight and molding the resulting compound under thermal conditions.(a) A mercaptotriazine compound,(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of amines having a boiling point of not lower than 110.degree. C., organic acid salts of the amines or addition products thereof, diarylguanidine, condensation products of aniline and aldehydes, and 2-benzothiazylsulfenamides of primary or secondary amines, and(c) a metal compound as an acid acceptor.

Abstract: If a member made of rubber containing carbon black and a member made of aluminium alloy come into contact with each other under existence of an electrolytic solution, corrosion of the aluminium alloy member would proceed. Such corrosion of the aluminium alloy member can be suppressed by selecting a surface resistivity (surface electric resistivity) of the rubber member at 10.sup.6 .OMEGA. or higher, and more preferably 10.sup.7 .omega. or higher.

Abstract: A fluid-filled bushing comprises an outer tube, an inner tube disposed coaxially in the outer tube, a plurality of resilient members disposed between the outer and inner tubes and defining a fluid chamber therebetween, and a closure member disposed in the fluid chamber and having a base fitted in the outer tube and a support disposed around the inner tube and supporting the inner tube swingably and axially slidably, the closure member dividing the fluid chamber into a plurality of fluid chambers. The closure member has a valve mechanism for varying the rate of fluid communication between the divided fluid chambers. The resilient members include two substantially annular resilient partitions positioned coaxially and axially symmetrically with respect to the closure member positioned between the resilient partitions.