Patents by Inventor Claudia Kunz

Claudia Kunz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11811103
    Abstract: A separator plate for an electrochemical system, comprising: at least one of the flanks of the bead assembly has a multiplicity of passages for directing a medium through the bead flank, and a distributing or collecting structure has a multiplicity of line ducts and a multiplicity of openings, wherein the line ducts adjoin the passages in the bead flank on an external side of the bead assembly, wherein the openings are disposed on a side of the distributing or collecting structure that faces away from the bead assembly and, are fluidically connected to a bead interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: REINZ-DICHTUNGS-GMBH
    Inventors: Claudia Kunz, Bernd Gaugler, Stephan Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20230253577
    Abstract: A bipolar plate having an anode plate and a cathode plate and a contact surface between the two surfaces. In a transition region, at least one first groove ends and/or a second groove ends or at least one first groove merges into a second groove, wherein the grooves guide fluid. In at least one of the first grooves and second grooves, the groove base rises such that the distance of the groove base from the contact surface decreases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Robert BLERSCH, Rainer GLUECK, Bernadette GRUENWALD, Claudia KUNZ
  • Publication number: 20230054365
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Andre SPEIDEL, Thomas STOEHR, Bernadette GRUENWALD, Claudia KUNZ, Ahmet ORUC, Bernd GAUGLER, Rainer GLUECK
  • Patent number: 11515603
    Abstract: A separator plate arrangement for an electrochemical system, comprising a first metal sheet and a second metal sheet. The first metal sheet has a first circumferential sealing structure for sealing off an electrochemically active region, a first cutout arranged outside of the first circumferential sealing structure, and a first embossed structure arranged outside of the first circumferential sealing structure. The second metal sheet has a second circumferential sealing structure for sealing off an electrochemically active region, a second cutout arranged outside of the second circumferential sealing structure, and a second embossed structure arranged outside of the second circumferential sealing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Reinz-Dichtungs-GmbH
    Inventors: Claudia Kunz, Sebastian Schaefer
  • Patent number: 11430999
    Abstract: A separator plate for an electrochemical system is described. The separator plate may be used with a bipolar plate and for an electrochemical system comprising a plurality of bipolar plates. The separator plate may have a flow field and guiding structures for guiding a medium through the flow field. The guiding structures of the flow field have a mean height h1 determined perpendicularly to the planar surface plane of the plate. The separator plate may also have a contiguous, lowered transition region where medium flowing from a channel into the flow field, or from the flow field into the channel, flows through the transition region, wherein the transition region has a maximum height hmax determined perpendicularly to the planar surface plane of the plate, where applies: hmax?0.95·h1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: REINZ-DICHTUNGS-GMBH
    Inventors: Claudia Kunz, Joachim Scherer, Thomas Stoehr
  • Publication number: 20220149392
    Abstract: A separator plate for an electrochemical system, comprising: at least one of the flanks of the bead assembly has a multiplicity of passages for directing a medium through the bead flank, and a distributing or collecting structure has a multiplicity of line ducts and a multiplicity of openings, wherein the line ducts adjoin the passages in the bead flank on an external side of the bead assembly, wherein the openings are disposed on a side of the distributing or collecting structure that faces away from the bead assembly and, are fluidically connected to a bead interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Claudia KUNZ, Bernd GAUGLER, Stephan WENZEL
  • Publication number: 20220131162
    Abstract: A bipolar plate for an electrochemical system. The bipolar plate comprising a first individual plate and a second individual plate which are joined together. Each individual plate comprising: an electrochemically active region, an outer edge, and a perimeter sealing element. The outer edge region spans between the edge of the perimeter sealing element and the outer edge. Some emobidments of the outer edges protrude out of a plate plane defined by the bipolar plate. A plurality of stiffening structures stiffening the outer edge region of the bipolar plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Claudia KUNZ, Rainer GLUECK, Werner BUNTZ, Sebastian SCHAEFER
  • Patent number: 11309551
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a separator plate for an electro-chemical system. The separator plate comprises: a first passage; an active region with structures for guiding a reaction medium along a first flat face of the separator plate and guiding a coolant along a rear face of the active region on the second flat face of the separator plate; a bead formed in the separator plate for sealing at least the active region; and barrier elements formed in the separator plate, which reduce or prevent a flow of reaction medium on the first flat face of the separator plate along the bead and past the active region. The separator plate fully encloses the first passage and the active region together and that at least one of the barrier elements is at least in parts sunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Reinz-Dichtungs-GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Stöhr, Claudia Kunz
  • Publication number: 20210234237
    Abstract: A separator plate arrangement for an electrochemical system, comprising a first metal sheet and a second metal sheet. The first metal sheet has a first circumferential sealing structure for sealing off an electrochemically active region, a first cutout arranged outside of the first circumferential sealing structure, and a first embossed structure arranged outside of the first circumferential sealing structure. The second metal sheet has a second circumferential sealing structure for sealing off an electrochemically active region, a second cutout arranged outside of the second circumferential sealing structure, and a second embossed structure arranged outside of the second circumferential sealing structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Claudia KUNZ, Sebastian SCHAEFER
  • Publication number: 20210210773
    Abstract: A separator plate for an electrochemical system has two metal individual plates. The plates have passage openings for operating media and possibly coolant, and distribution structures. The distribution structures are formed in the metal individual plates and which each communicate with at least two of the passage openings. A peripherally extending sealing structure is formed in each of the metal individual plates at least peripherally around the electrochemically active region and at a distance therefrom and/or peripherally around at least one of the passage openings and at a distance from the edge thereof. The cross-section of the sealing structure has a bead roof, two bead flanks, and at least in some segments, two bead feet. At least in the region of the bead roof of the sealing structure at least in some segments, the sealing structure extends sinuously with at least two wave periods having convex and concave segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas STOEHR, Claudia KUNZ, Stephan WENZEL
  • Patent number: 11024858
    Abstract: A separator plate for an electrochemical system has two metal individual plates. The plates have passage openings for operating media and possibly coolant, and distribution structures. The distribution structures are formed in the metal individual plates and which each communicate with at least two of the passage openings. A peripherally extending sealing structure is formed in each of the metal individual plates at least peripherally around the electrochemically active region and at a distance therefrom and/or peripherally around at least one of the passage openings and at a distance from the edge thereof. The cross-section of the sealing structure has a bead roof, two bead flanks, and at least in some segments, two bead feet. At least in the region of the bead roof of the sealing structure at least in some segments, the sealing structure extends sinuously with at least two wave periods having convex and concave segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: REINZ-DICHTUNGS-GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Stoehr, Claudia Kunz, Stephan Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20210091389
    Abstract: A separator plate assembly for an electrochemical system, comprising a first metal sheet and a second metal sheet, which are in contact with one another at least in areas along the flat sides thereof facing one another, the first metal sheet including a first through-hole, or a group of first through-holes, and a first embossed structure surrounding the first through-hole, or the group of first through-holes, of the first metal sheet, and the second metal sheet including a first embossed structure, which is arranged at least in sections in an area of the second metal sheet that is defined by a perpendicular projection of the first through-hole, or of the group of first through-holes, of the first metal sheet onto the second metal sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Bernd GAUGLER, Claudia KUNZ, Stephan WENZEL
  • Patent number: 10868313
    Abstract: A separator plate for an electrochemical system is described. The separator plate may have a first individual plate and a second individual plate which is connected to the first individual plate. The first individual plate may have two first channels for leading media, the first channels running next to one another, being shaped in the first individual plate and being separated from one another at least in sections by a web which is formed between the first channels. The second individual plate may have a second channel which is for leading media and is shaped in the second individual plate. The web which is formed between the first channels and the second channel which is shaped in the second individual plate are designed and arranged in a manner such that a projection of the second channel onto the first individual plate perpendicularly to the planar surface plane of the first individual plate crosses the web along a crossing region of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: REINZ-DICHTUNGS-GMBH
    Inventors: Bernadette Gruenwald, Claudia Kunz, Joachim Scherer
  • Patent number: 10854891
    Abstract: A separator plate for an electrochemical system may have at least one passage opening for forming a media channel for feeding or discharging media. The system may also have at least one bead arrangement arranged around the at least one passage opening, for the purpose of sealing the passage opening. At least one of the flanks of the bead arrangement may have at least one opening for conducting a medium through the bead flank. The system may also have at least one guide channel that is connected, on an exterior of the bead arrangement, to the openings in the bead flank and is fluidically connected to a bead interior via the opening in the bead flank. The guide channel is designed such that a guide channel width, determined parallel to the flat surface plane of the separator plate, increases at least in some sections in the direction of the bead arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: REINZ-DICHTUNGS-GMBH
    Inventors: Rainer Glueck, Claudia Kunz, Ahmet Oruc, Andre Speidel, Stephan Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20200153000
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a separator plate for an electro-chemical system. The separator plate comprises: a first passage; an active region with structures for guiding a reaction medium along a first flat face of the separator plate and guiding a coolant along a rear face of the active region on the second flat face of the separator plate; a bead formed in the separator plate for sealing at least the active region; and barrier elements formed in the separator plate, which reduce or prevent a flow of reaction medium on the first flat face of the separator plate along the bead and past the active region. The separator plate fully encloses the first passage and the active region together and that at least one of the barrier elements is at least in parts sunk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas STÖHR, Claudia KUNZ
  • Patent number: 10601053
    Abstract: A separator plate for an electrochemical system has at least one passage opening for forming a media channel for feeding or discharging media. At least one bead arrangement arranged around the at least one passage opening, for the purpose of sealing the passage opening is provided. At least one of the flanks of the bead arrangement has at least one opening for conducting a medium through the bead flank. At least one guide channel is connected, on an exterior of the bead arrangement, to the openings in the bead flank and is fluidically connected to a bead interior via the opening in the bead flank. The guide channel is designed such that a guide channel height perpendicularly to the flat surface plane of the separator plate increases at least in some sections in the direction of said bead arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Reinz-Dichtungs-GmbH
    Inventors: Claudia Kunz, Stephan Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20190319279
    Abstract: A separator plate for an electrochemical system is described. The separator plate may be used with a bipolar plate and for an electrochemical system comprising a plurality of bipolar plates. The separator plate may have a flow field and guiding structures for guiding a medium through the flow field. The guiding structures of the flow field have a mean height h1 determined perpendicularly to the planar surface plane of the plate. The separator plate may also have a contiguous, lowered transition region where medium flowing from a channel into the flow field, or from the flow field into the channel, flows through the transition region, wherein the transition region has a maximum height hmax determined perpendicularly to the planar surface plane of the plate, where applies: hmax?0.95·h1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: CLAUDIA KUNZ, JOACHIM SCHERER, THOMAS STOEHR
  • Publication number: 20190088956
    Abstract: A separator plate for an electrochemical system may have at least one passage opening for forming a media channel for feeding or discharging media. The system may also have at least one bead arrangement arranged around the at least one passage opening, for the purpose of sealing the passage opening. At least one of the flanks of the bead arrangement may have at least one opening for conducting a medium through the bead flank. The system may also have at least one guide channel that is connected, on an exterior of the bead arrangement, to the openings in the bead flank and is fluidically connected to a bead interior via the opening in the bead flank. The guide channel is designed such that a guide channel width, determined parallel to the flat surface plane of the separator plate, increases at least in some sections in the direction of the bead arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: RAINER GLUECK, CLAUDIA KUNZ, AHMET ORUC, ANDRE SPEIDEL, STEPHAN WENZEL
  • Publication number: 20180269497
    Abstract: A separator plate for an electrochemical system has at least one passage opening for forming a media channel for feeding or discharging media. At least one bead arrangement arranged around the at least one passage opening, for the purpose of sealing the passage opening is provided. At least one of the flanks of the bead arrangement has at least one opening for conducting a medium through the bead flank. At least one guide channel is connected, on an exterior of the bead arrangement, to the openings in the bead flank and is fluidically connected to a bead interior via the opening in the bead flank. The guide channel is designed such that a guide channel height perpendicularly to the flat surface plane of the separator plate increases at least in some sections in the direction of said bead arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: CLAUDIA KUNZ, STEPHAN WENZEL
  • Publication number: 20180241049
    Abstract: A separator plate for an electrochemical system is described. The separator plate may have a first individual plate and a second individual plate which is connected to the first individual plate. The first individual plate may have two first channels for leading media, the first channels running next to one another, being shaped in the first individual plate and being separated from one another at least in sections by a web which is formed between the first channels. The second individual plate may have a second channel which is for leading media and is shaped in the second individual plate. The web which is formed between the first channels and the second channel which is shaped in the second individual plate are designed and arranged in a manner such that a projection of the second channel onto the first individual plate perpendicularly to the planar surface plane of the first individual plate crosses the web along a crossing region of the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: BERNADETTE GRUENWALD, CLAUDIA KUNZ, JOACHIM SCHERER