Abstract: An improved molding process provides highly conductive polymer composite parts have bulk conductivity over 10 S/cm. This conductivity is particularly useful in collector plate for use in fuel cells. The process can include compounding of a mixture of conductive filler with a polymer binder, extruding the mixture after the binder is plasticized to make pellets. The pellets can then be introduced to a dual temperature feed container of an injection molding machine and injected under high pressure and velocity into the mold cavity. The resulting parts, and particularly collector plates can be made economically and provide a high conductivity while maintaining strength and chemical resistance properties.

Abstract: A bubble trap for an extracorporeal blood handling or other fluid handling system has a chamber (10) constructed from a top section (20) and bottom section (30). There is a fluid inlet (50), gas vent port (70) for purging gas that has separated from the fluid in the chamber, and a fluid outlet (50). There are two balls (64) and (74), which act as check valves to prevent fluid flowing out the vent port, and gas escaping through the fluid outlet. The chamber geometry prevents entrapment of either ball in the corner as blood level rises or falls. Squeeze bulbs (66) and (76), and shutoff valves (68) and (78), provide for unseating the check balls.

Abstract: A foam trap or FOB for a gas propelled or mechanically pumped liquid dispensing system, having an upper ball stopper valve seat and gas vent port at the top and a lower ball stopper valve seat and liquid outlet port at the bottom, with two floating ball stoppers that are raised and lowered by the level of liquid unless locked into a seated position on a valve seat by pressure. Ball stoppers can be independently mechanically dislodged and constrained from reseating on either valve seat by externally accessible means. The interior geometry inhibits the ball stoppers from competing or blocking access to respective valve seats when liquid is falling or rising. The trap automatically shuts off outflow when liquid is depleted, permitting a container change, opening of the vent port, and purging of gas or air in the trap by refilling the trap with liquid before closing the vent port and reopening the outflow. The trap may be integrated into an automated container switching system for liquid dispensing systems.

Abstract: An improved molding composition is provided for compression molding or injection molding a current collector plate for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. The molding composition is comprised of a polymer resin combined with a low surface area, highly-conductive carbon and/or graphite powder filler. The low viscosity of the thermoplastic resin combined with the reduced filler particle surface area provide a moldable composition which can be fabricated into a current collector plate having improved current collecting capacity vis-a-vis comparable fluoropolymer molding compositions.

Abstract: A splicer for wire mesh belts of a plurality of individual zigh-zag strands, adjacent strands interlocked and the belt having first and second ends joined by the splicer to form a continuous web, consists of an elongated wire having a plurality of generally U-shape splicer elements. The splicer elements have a base and upstanding legs at each end lying at obtuse angle to the base, and are arranged in alternating sequence, the base and legs of first elements directed toward the first belt end and the base and legs of adjacent second elements directed toward the opposed second belt end. The splicer also has connectors with arcuate segments adjoining the ends of adjacent legs. First splicer elements engage through and interlock with adjoining links of the first belt end, and second splicer elements engage through and interlock with adjoining links of the second belt end, thereby joining the ends of the belt in a continuous web.