Abstract: A bipolar plate for a fuel cell includes a first plate having a first bead seal, and a second plate having a second bead seal. The first bead seal and the second bead seal are disposed opposite each other and extend along a centerline. An outer weld connects the first plate and the second plate together, and extends along an outer weld line. The outer weld line is laterally spaced an outer gap distance from an outer lateral edge of the first and second bead seals. The outer gap distance varies with a position along the centerline to control a stiffness of the bead seals. Positioning the weld line nearer the outer lateral edge increases the stiffness of the raised bead seals in low stiffness areas, whereas positioning the weld line farther from the lateral edge decreases the stiffness of the raised bead seals in high stiffness areas.

Abstract: A plate assembly includes a first plate and a second plate positioned adjacent to one another. The first plate includes a first sealing member formed thereon. The second plate includes a second sealing member formed thereon. The first sealing member includes a first end surface and first opposing sides extending from the first end surface. The second sealing member includes a second end surface and second opposing sides extending from the second end surface. The first and second sealing members are offset relative to one another by a first offset distance (D1) in a first longitudinal direction. By varying the sealing member's base width periodically, a greater sealing force is achieved. By offsetting alignment of pairs of sealing members along the seal path, uniform pressure along the seal path is achieved.

Abstract: A number of variations may include at least one bipolar plate which may include at least one bead, the bead may include a plurality of crest portions and a plurality of trough portions having at least one tangent portion disposed between adjacent crest portions and trough portions; the bipolar plate further may include at least one tunnel defining at least one through hole within the at least one tangent portion.

Abstract: A fuel cell flow field plate providing a uniform gas flow pressure includes a first metal plate and a second metal plate. The first metal plate defines a first opening for providing a first reactant gas to a fuel cell with a first metal bead that surrounds the first opening. The first metal bead is an embossment that defines a first channel. A first plurality of tunnels provides a passage into and out of the first metal bead. Each tunnel of the first plurality of tunnels has an inlet tunnel section that leads to the first metal bead and an outlet tunnel section that extends from the first metal bead to provide the first reactant gas to first reactant gas flow channels defined by the first metal plate. Characteristically, the inlet tunnel section and the outlet tunnel section each having a curved cross section with an opened base side.

Abstract: A system and method includes one or more processors one or more processors coupled to a memory. The one or more processors may execute instructions from the memory to perform the steps including receiving an audio communications request from a first user device of a user, identifying a second user device of the user in response to receiving the audio communications request, providing a suggestion that the user use the second user device with the system, receiving a response from the user responding to the suggestion, establishing a communication channel with the second user device, and providing content associated with the audio communications request to the second user device.

Abstract: A system and method includes one or more processors one or more processors coupled to a memory. The one or more processors may execute instructions from the memory to perform the steps including receiving an audio communications request from a first user device of a user, identifying a second user device of the user in response to receiving the audio communications request, providing a suggestion that the user use the second user device with the system, receiving a response from the user responding to the suggestion, establishing a communication channel with the second user device, and providing content associated with the audio communications request to the second user device.

Abstract: A system and method includes one or more processors one or more processors coupled to a memory. The one or more processors may execute instructions from the memory to perform the steps including receiving an audio communications request from a first user device of a user, identifying a second user device of the user in response to receiving the audio communications request, providing a suggestion that the user use the second user device with the system, receiving a response from the user responding to the suggestion, establishing a communication channel with the second user device, and providing content associated with the audio communications request to the second user device.

Abstract: A system and method includes one or more processors one or more processors coupled to a memory. The one or more processors may execute instructions from the memory to perform the steps including receiving an audio communications request from a first user device of a user, identifying a second user device of the user in response to receiving the audio communications request, providing a suggestion that the user use the second user device with the system, receiving a response from the user responding to the suggestion, establishing a communication channel with the second user device, and providing content associated with the audio communications request to the second user device.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods for facilitating customer service over a network include receiving a service request from a user via the network, verifying an account related to the user, determining a priority of the user, generating a service identifier, and providing the service identifier to the user via the network. In various implementations, users may be prioritized based on a perceived value of the user so as to provide express customer service and support to highly valued and/or top-rated users. Users may select a support link to obtain a service code which may be used to immediately connect the user to a customer service agent that may provide the user with resolution to problems encountered by the user.