Abstract: Systems and methods for separator plates, bipolar plates, stacks of plates, and electrochemical systems, comprising at least one through-opening for the passage of a fluid and a rim that delimits the through-opening. The rim having a curved course and a rectilinear course that adjoins the curved course. A bead arrangement extends around the curved course and the rectilinear course. An edge portion spans the bead arrangement and the rim, so that the bead arrangement is situated at a distance from the rim. A cutout formed in the curved course, so that a minimum distance of the bead arrangement from the rim is smaller in the curved course than in the rectilinear course.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a separator plate for an electrochemical system comprising first and second individual plates and an arrangement comprising at least one such separator plate. The first plate has first channels for guiding media separated by first webs. On a side facing the second plate, the first channels form first protrusions and the first webs form first grooves. The second plate has second channels separated by second webs. On a side facing the first plate, the second channels form second protrusions and the second webs form second grooves. The second protrusions project into the first grooves and the first protrusions project into the second grooves. The first and/or second grooves are stepped transversely to their longitudinal extension with a region of reduced groove depth, forming a support structure. The region of reduced groove depth contacts an opposite protrusion of the other plate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a separator plate for an electrochemical system and an electrochemical system comprising at least one such separator plate. A first individual plate of the separator plate has, embossed on a first side, webs that delimit channels configured for guiding a first fluid. Between bases of the channels and the adjoining web flanks are first transition regions with a first embossing radius. On a second side of the first individual plate, the channels form protrusions and the webs form grooves for guiding a second fluid. Between bases of the grooves are second transition regions with a second embossing radius. The first individual plate forms a plurality of stiffening structures that are arranged in the first and/or second transition regions. The stiffening structures form local bulges with a radius greater than the respective embossing radius and which extend over a height less than a web height.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a separator plate for an electrochemical system, comprising a first individual plate, wherein the first individual plate has, embossed on a first side, webs with web flanks that at least in sections delimit channels for guiding a first fluid, the web flanks having a first inclination relative to a plate plane, wherein the first individual plate has at least one transverse stiffening region that extends transversely to a longitudinal direction of extension of the webs and in which a second inclination of the web flanks relative to the plate plane is less than the first inclination outside the transverse stiffening region.

Abstract: A separator plate for an electrochemical system comprising a first individual plate which comprises two first channels for conducting media which run next to one another and which are separated from one another at least in sections by a web formed between the first channels. The web comprising a lowered portion and a rear side of the base of the lowered portion is connected to a rear side of the base of the second channel in the contact zone of the individual plates via a welded connection. The welded connection comprises a first end region and a first curved portion, wherein the first curved portion runs, and is curved, in such a way that a virtual straight line running perpendicularly through the first end region intersects the welded connection at least two times.

Abstract: A separator plate for an electrochemical system, a bipolar plate comprising two such separator plates, an electrochemical cell, and an electrochemical system comprising a multiplicity of such separator plates or bipolar plates are disclosed. By way of example, the electrochemical system may be a fuel cell system, an electrochemical compressor, a redox flow battery or an electrolyzer. The separator plate for an electrochemical system, comprising at least one through-opening and at least one bead arrangement. An edge portion stretches between the at least one bead arrangement and a border of the at least one bead arrangement. The edge portion has recesses and projections starting from the border and alternating successively along a border contour in some portions, wherein the recesses project downwards out of the plate plane and the projections project upwards out of the plate plane.

Abstract: A separator plate comprising a first individual plate and a second individual plate, wherein the separator plate comprises: an electrochemically active region, at least one through-opening, and a bead arrangement. The bead arrangement arranged around the through-opening for sealing off the through-opening, A bead interior fluidically connected to the through-opening. At least one first aperture extending substantially parallel to a plate plane defined by the separator plate. At least one conveying channel which opens into a region of the first individual plate containing the first aperture and fluidically connects the bead interior to the first aperture.

Abstract: A flow plate for a humidifier, having flow fields on both mutually opposite flat sides of the flow plate is described. The flow plate proposed here has a multiplicity of through-openings, wherein the through-openings are designed such that a perpendicular projection of the through openings onto a plane oriented parallel to the plane of the flat surface of the flow plate has a non-vanishing area, so that gas passing through the through-openings effects, at least in part, mixing of a gas guided in the flow fields perpendicular to the plane of the flat surface of the flow plate. The through-openings improve the power of the humidifier, thus permitting a lower number of flow plates and therefore a more lightweight and more compact design.

Abstract: An electrochemical, media-guiding system, a contact element for electrically and mechanically contacting such a plate, and a transmission device containing such a contact element. The present disclosure further relates to the production of such a plate or such a contact element. A plate having at least one contact point forming a voltage take-off point, a current supply point, and/or a current take-off point. The at least one contact point having a laser-surface-treated region.

Abstract: A separator plate comprising a metal layer. The metal layer having at least one bead and the at least one bead having two bead flanks. At least one of the bead flanks having segments with different angles to the plane of the metal layer.

Abstract: An electrochemical system having two metallic separator plates, an electrochemical cell arranged between the separator plates and sealed by at least one sealing element, and fixing elements for fixing the separator plates. The fixing elements comprise at least two fixing elements which are designed as integral with the first or with the second separator plate, which differ from the at least one sealing element, are spaced apart from the at least one sealing element parallel to the plate planes of the separator plates, and project at least in sections beyond the plate planes of the separator plates in a stacking direction. The first fixing element is thereby supported on the second fixing element in such a way that the second fixing element prevents a displacement of the first separator plate relative to the second separator plate.

Abstract: A humidifier having a multiplicity of metallic flow plates and a multiplicity of water transfer membranes, in particular for humidifying process gas for an electrochemical system or for HVAC applications is described. The humidifier has a construction in which the metallic flow plates and the water transfer membranes are arranged such that in each case at most one of the single-layer flow plates is arranged between adjacent water transfer membranes of the stack; and at least one of the water transfer membranes is in each case accommodated in a sealing manner, in particular clamped in a sealing manner, between the mutually facing sealing lines of adjacent flow plates of the stack. The humidifier has lower production costs, greater efficiency and lower weight.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separator plates, bipolar plates, stacks of plates, and electrochemical systems, comprising at least one through-opening for the passage of a fluid and a rim that delimits the through-opening. The rim having a curved course and a rectilinear course that adjoins the curved course. A bead arrangement extends around the curved course and the rectilinear course. An edge portion spans the bead arrangement and the rim, so that the bead arrangement is situated at a distance from the rim. A cutout formed in the curved course, so that a minimum distance of the bead arrangement from the rim is smaller in the curved course than in the rectilinear course.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separator plate for an electrochemical system, comprising: at least one first through-opening for conducting a reaction medium through the separator plate; an active region having structures for guiding a reactor medium along a flat side of the separator plate; and a first sealing structure, surrounding the first through-opening, for sealing the first through-opening. The first sealing structure has a first passage for conducting a reaction medium through the first sealing structure, which passage points in a direction facing away from the active region. The invention also relates to a bipolar plate for an electrochemical system, which bipolar plate comprises the described separator plate.

Abstract: Electrochemical systems having a first separator plate, a second separator plate, and a membrane electrode unit (MEA) arranged between the separator plates. The MEA has a membrane in order to form an electrochemical cell and an edge portion connected to the membrane and comprising a film material for positioning and/or fastening the membrane between the separator plates. The edge portion has at least one elevation and/or depression for stiffening the edge portion at least in regions.

Abstract: A flow plate for a humidifier, and to such a humidifier having a plurality of flow plates and water exchange membranes are described. The flow plate has a flow field with a plurality of free-standing support elements, wherein the support elements extend, at least in sections, perpendicular to the flat surface plane of the flow plate. Gas to be humidified or gas giving off moisture flows on the flow field. In the humidifier, the flow plates are arranged in a stack, wherein a membrane composite having at least one water exchange membrane is arranged between each pair of adjacent flow plates in the stack. The support elements improve the performance of the humidifier and therefore the number of flow plates can be reduced, making a lower-weight and space-saving design possible.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separator plate for an electrochemical system, comprising: at least one first through-opening for conducting a reaction medium through the separator plate; an active region having structures for guiding a reactor medium along a flat side of the separator plate; and a first sealing structure, surrounding the first through-opening, for sealing the first through-opening. The first sealing structure has a first passage for conducting a reaction medium through the first sealing structure, which passage points in a direction facing away from the active region. The invention also relates to a bipolar plate for an electrochemical system, which bipolar plate comprises the described separator plate.

Abstract: A humidifier having a multiplicity of metallic flow plates and a multiplicity of water transfer membranes, in particular for humidifying process gas for an electrochemical system or for HVAC applications is described. The humidifier has a construction in which the metallic flow plates and the water transfer membranes are arranged such that in each case at most one of the single-layer flow plates is arranged between adjacent water transfer membranes of the stack; and at least one of the water transfer membranes is in each case accommodated in a sealing manner, in particular clamped in a sealing manner, between the mutually facing sealing lines of adjacent flow plates of the stack. The humidifier has lower production costs, greater efficiency and lower weight.

Abstract: An electrochemical system having two metallic separator plates, an electrochemical cell arranged between the separator plates and sealed by at least one sealing element, and fixing elements for fixing the separator plates. The fixing elements comprise at least two fixing elements which are designed as integral with the first or with the second separator plate, which differ from the at least one sealing element, are spaced apart from the at least one sealing element parallel to the plate planes of the separator plates, and project at least in sections beyond the plate planes of the separator plates in a stacking direction. The first fixing element is thereby supported on the second fixing element in such a way that the second fixing element prevents a displacement of the first separator plate relative to the second separator plate.

Abstract: A gas supply and discharge system may have a fuel cell arrangement having at least one electrode, a gas-gas heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a first gas to be supplied to the electrode and a second gas discharged or dischargeable from the second electrode, and a humidifier for transferring humidity between the first gas and the second gas. The first gas to be supplied to the electrode can be introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger before the supply of the first gas to the electrode, and such that the second gas can be introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger from the electrode in order to transfer heat between the first gas and the second gas in the gas-gas heat exchanger. The first gas and the second gas can be introduced into the humidifier from the gas-gas heat exchanger in order to transfer humidity between the first gas and the second gas in the humidifier. The first gas can be introduced into the fuel cell arrangement from the humidifier and can be supplied to the electrode.