Bipolar Separator (e.g., Bipolar Plate, Etc.) Patents (Class 429/518)
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Publication number: 20110008714Abstract: Corrosion resistant, manganese-stabilized austenitic stainless steels with a low nickel content are used in bipolar plates, methods for fabricating the bipolar plates, and polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells comprising the bipolar plates. The bipolar plates are formed from high-manganese austenitic stainless steels comprising, in weight percents, 4.0 to 35 manganese, 0.5 to 1.5 nickel, 17 to 20 chromium, 0.2 to 0.5 nitrogen, up to 0.075 carbon, 0.5 to 1.0 silicon, up to 0.1 aluminum, 0 to 0.005 sulfur, and balance iron and incidental impurities. The steels exhibit suitable corrosion resistance, electrical contact resistance, and mechanical properties for high-corrosion applications such as use in bipolar plate materials for PEM fuel cells. The bipolar plates may comprise a solid plate of the steel, optionally coated with a highly electrically conductive material.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2009Publication date: January 13, 2011Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Arianna T. Morales
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Patent number: 7867660Abstract: In the fuel cell including a membrane electrode assembly, the diffusion layer of the membrane electrode assembly includes an electrode part having one surface in contact with the electrode catalytic layer and the other surface facing the separator and a non-electric-power generating part around the electrode part having one surface in contact with the solid polymer electrolytic membrane and the other surface facing the separator. The non-electric-power generating part includes a hydrophilic part near an outlet of the fluid passage of the reaction gas, and a hydrophobic layer formed on the hydrophilic part and exposed to the fluid passage to discharge water generated in generating an electric power.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2007Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Naoki Mitsuta
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Publication number: 20110003229Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to electrochemical cells and membranes including alternating electrically conductive and dielectric regions. One embodiment describes an ion-conducting composite layer for an electrochemical cell, including two or more electrically conductive components, each electrically conductive component having one or more electrically conductive passageways and one or more dielectric components, each dielectric component having one or more ion-conducting passageways. The electrically conductive components and the dielectric components are adjacently arranged to provide a fluidically impermeable composite layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2009Publication date: January 6, 2011Inventors: Jeremy Schrooten, Gerard F. McLean, Paul Sobejko
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Patent number: 7862957Abstract: Collector plates made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys, the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys providing ruggedness, lightweight structure, excellent resistance to chemical and environmental effects, and low-cost manufacturing, and methods of making such collector plates from such bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys are provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2004Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Trevor Wende
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Patent number: 7862956Abstract: A flexible flow field separator includes a substrate layer formed of a flexible material and having first and second surfaces. A structured flow field pattern is defined on the first surface of the substrate layer. The structured flow field pattern defines one or more fluid channels. The separator includes a first layer formed of one or more metals and disposed on the first surface of the substrate layer. The first layer is formed of an electrically conductive material. The separator further includes a second layer disposed on the second surface of the substrate layer. The second layer is formed of a flexible electrically conductive material. The first layer contacts the second layer at one or more locations to define an electrical connection between the first and second layers.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2004Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Raymond P. Johnston, Mark K. Debe, Haiyan Zhang
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Patent number: 7855029Abstract: A fuel cell module includes an anode flow board, a cathode board, an intermediate adhesive layer, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) including a membrane edge, and a leak-proof adhesive layer mounted on the membrane edge, thereby preventing contact between the intermediate adhesive layer and the membrane edge. The adhesive ability of the leak-proof adhesive layer to the membrane edge is higher than that of the intermediate adhesive layer to the membrane edge. Therefore, the methanol leakage from the membrane can be avoided.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2007Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Nan Ya Printed Circuit Board CorporationInventors: Jiun-Ming Chen, Yu-Chih Lin, Chih-Yen Lin, Chiang-Wen Lai, Ching-Sen Yang
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Patent number: 7851107Abstract: A low-cost fuel cell separator having a metallic substrate which is able to stably maintain low electric resistance (high electrical conductivity) and high corrosion resistance for a long period is provided. The separator has a metallic substrate having an oxide film forming a surface thereof and made from an oxidization of a metal of the substrate, and an electrically conductive thin film formed on a surface of the oxide film of the substrate. Due to this construction, low electric resistance (high electrical conductivity) is achieved by the electrically conductive thin film. Furthermore, even if the electrically conductive thin film has pinholes, the oxide film substantially prevents or reduces elution from the separator substrate, thereby achieving high corrosion resistance. Still further, since the oxide film is formed by oxidation of the substrate, the oxide film can be formed at a lower cost than an oxide film formed from a different metal.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiromichi Nakata
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Patent number: 7846607Abstract: A separator for a fuel cell includes a main separator and a sub separator. A plurality of intake manifolds and exhaust manifolds are perforated on both end portions of the main separator and the sub separator. A plurality of channels are formed on an upper surface of the main separator so that fuel is supplied through the different intake manifolds and is exhausted through the different exhaust manifolds. Auxiliary channels are formed on a lower surface of the main separator and an upper surface and a lower surface of the sub separator so as to connect the intake manifolds and the exhaust manifolds to the channels. A connecting channel is formed on a lower surface of the main separator so as to communicate with the channels, and connect the channels and the auxiliary channels.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2006Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Dong Hun Lee
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Patent number: 7846606Abstract: A bipolar plate for electro-chemical applications is proposed, comprising a first cover layer of a metallic material, a second cover layer of a metallic material, and a supporting layer of a metallic material which is arranged between the first cover layer and the second cover layer and is connected to the first cover layer and the second cover layer, wherein the supporting layer comprises at least one row of contact areas for the first cover layer and/or the second cover layer and free spaces are formed between neighboring contact areas, wherein at least one passage opening is provided for conveying fuel and/or oxidizer, and wherein an insert element by means of which point forces are introducible over an area is arranged between the first cover layer and the second cover layer in the region of the at least one passage opening.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2007Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft-und Raumfahrt e. V.Inventors: Andreas Brinner, Tilo Maag
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Patent number: 7846591Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electroconductive element within an electrochemical cell that improves water management. The electroconductive element comprises an impermeable electrically conductive element and a porous liquid distribution media disposed along a major surface of the conductive element. Preferably, the liquid distribution media is in direct contact and fluid communication with a fluid distribution layer disposed between the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and the liquid distribution media, so that liquids are drawn from the MEA through the fluid distribution layer to and through the liquid distribution media. The liquid distribution media transports liquids away from the MEA in the fuel cell. Methods of fabricating and operating fuel cells and electroconductive elements according to the present invention are also contemplated.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2004Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Wenbin Gu, Gerald W Fly, Mark F Mathias
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Patent number: 7842434Abstract: Various embodiments relate to interconnects for solid oxide fuel cells (“SOFCs”) comprising ferritic stainless steel and having at least one via that when subjected to an oxidizing atmosphere at an elevated temperature develops a scale comprising a manganese-chromate spinel on at least a portion of a surface thereof, and at least one gas flow channel that when subjected to an oxidizing atmosphere at an elevated temperature develops an aluminum-rich oxide scale on at least a portion of a surface thereof. Other embodiments relate to interconnects comprising a ferritic stainless steel and having a fuel side comprising metallic material that resists oxidation during operation of the SOFCs, and optionally include a nickel-base superalloy on the oxidant side thereof. Still other embodiments relate to ferritic stainless steels adapted for use as interconnects comprising ?0.1 weight percent aluminum and/or silicon, and >1 up to 2 weight percent manganese. Methods of making interconnects are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2005Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.Inventors: James M. Rakowski, Charles P. Stinner
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Patent number: 7842433Abstract: A fuel cell separator plate comprising a portion in contact with an electrode, and a sealing portion provided around the contact portion, the contact portion having a larger surface roughness (Rmax) than that of the sealing portion. It is preferably a molded separator plate made of a composite carbon material comprising carbon and a thermosetting resin.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2002Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshihiro Nakanishi, Yuichiro Kosaka, Kentaro Nagoshi
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Patent number: 7842435Abstract: A method of enhancing water management capabilities of a fuel cell is disclosed. The method includes providing a fuel cell component having hydrophilic or weakly hydrophobic surfaces, increasing a hydrophobicity of at least one of said hydrophilic surfaces and assembling the fuel cell component into the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2004Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Yang-Tse Cheng, Gayatri Vyas, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid
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Publication number: 20100297520Abstract: In an electrochemical energy conversion system with at least one electrically conducting component with at least two cells connected in series, at least one of the electrically conducting components is divided into at least two segments which are electrically insulated from one another, and a transfer plate, consisting of electrically non-conducting material with at least two conducting sections and/or areas is provided to conduct currents from at least one segment to at least one other segment. A transfer plate for such an electrochemical energy conversion system consists of electrically non conducting material and exhibits at least two electrically conducting sections and/or areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2008Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: Heinz Wenzl, AM Bergwaeldchen 27Inventors: Heinz Wenzl, Hanno Stagge, Ralf Benger, Hans-Peter Beck
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Publication number: 20100291465Abstract: A separator plate for a fuel cell is provided, including a substrate having a radiation-cured first flow field layer disposed thereon. A method for fabricating the separator plate is also provided. The method includes the steps of providing a substrate; applying a first radiation-sensitive material to the substrate; placing a first mask between a first radiation source and the first radiation-sensitive material, the first mask having a plurality of substantially radiation-transparent apertures; and exposing the first radiation-sensitive material to a plurality of first radiation beams to form a radiation-cured first flow field layer adjacent the substrate. A fuel cell having the separator plate is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2009Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Rock, Yeh-Hung Lai, Keith E. Newman, Gerald W. Fly, Alan J. Jacobsen, Peter D. Brewer, William B. Carter
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Patent number: 7833680Abstract: A fuel cell bipolar plate assembly is disclosed which includes a reinforcement positioned between the anode and cathode plates to strengthen the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2006Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLCInventors: Jack A. C. Kummerow, II, Joseph B. Darke
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Publication number: 20100285396Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a process including providing an electrically conductive fuel cell component having a first face, and depositing a graphitic/conductive carbon film on the first face of the electrically conductive fuel cell component comprising sputtering a graphite target using a closed field unbalanced magnetron field.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2006Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Gayatri Vyas, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Youssef M. Mikhail
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Patent number: 7829136Abstract: The invention relates to fuel cells and methods of making bipolar fuel cell electrodes. The invention provides a method of producing bipolar fuel cell electrodes, including providing a collector having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, coating the first side with a first active material, coating the second side with a second active material, and compressing the coated collector to form a bipolar cell electrode. The invention also provides a method of producing bipolar fuel cell electrodes wherein the first side of the collector is first coated with the first active material and compressed at a first pressure, and subsequently the second side of the collector is coated with the second active material and compressed at a second pressure. The invention further provides an improved bipolar electrode for fuel cells.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2005Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takamitsu Saito, Hideaki Horie, Taketo Kaneko
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Patent number: 7829241Abstract: The present invention provides for a construction for a bipolar plate for a fuel cell stack that enables the bipolar plate to be a more compliant member in the fuel cell stack. The bipolar plate can be configured to provide varying levels of compliance, as demanded by the design of the fuel cell stack. The bipolar plate can be more compliant than the diffusion media members and the active elements used to form the individual fuel cells. The compliant nature of the individual bipolar plates enables localized dimensional changes that occur within the fuel cell stack to be compensated by a localized deformation of the portions of the bipolar plate within that region. The bipolar plate has an internal coolant flow field where some opposing pairs of lands are spaced apart with a gap therebetween while other opposing pairs of lands are in contact with one another.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2008Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Inventor: Yeh-Hung Lai
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Patent number: 7829242Abstract: Separator-electrode assemblies (SEAs) comprising a porous electrode useful as a positive or negative electrode in a lithium battery and a separator layer applied to this electrode, the separator layer being an inorganic separator layer comprising at least two fractions of metal oxide particles different from each other in their average particle size and/or in the metal, and the electrode having active mass particles that are bonded together and to a current collector by an inorganic adhesive; and a process for their production.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2004Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbHInventors: Gerhard Hörpel, Volker Hennige, Christian Hying, Sven Augustin
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Publication number: 20100279209Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a metallic bipolar plate for fuel cells, which can maintain good corrosion resistance and contact resistance without any side effect not only initially but also after a predetermined period of time even in an environment of severe vibration as in vehicles while allowing a continuous process to provide high productivity.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2009Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: Hyundai HyscoInventors: Yeon Soo Jeong, Yoo Taek Jeon, Jun Ho Lee, Jong Chan Park
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Patent number: 7803499Abstract: A method for making a super-hydrophobic composite bipolar plate including providing a substrate comprising a composite material including carbon, and a surface layer on the substrate, and wherein the surface layer includes silicon and oxygen, and heating the substrate and surface layer to cause moieties including carbon from the substrate to diffuse outwardly through the surface layer so that the moiety is attached to one of the silicon or oxygen.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2006Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventor: Richard H. Blunk
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Publication number: 20100239958Abstract: One embodiment includes a substrate having a plurality of molecular chains, each chain comprising a hydrophilic group, a hydrophobic segment, and a reversible crosslinker.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2010Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Tao Xie
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Patent number: 7794895Abstract: It is described a bipolar separator for polymer membrane fuel cell stacks, delimited by two sheets provided with fluid passage holes connected by means of a corrugated element and comprising a passage section for a thermostatting liquid, which allows to achieve the withdrawal of heat from the adjacent cells and the humidification and distribution of gases with a single integrated piece, simplifying the assembly and the hydraulic sealing of the stack.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2004Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells Europe S.r.l.Inventor: Antonino Toro
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Patent number: 7781122Abstract: A bipolar plate for use in a fuel cell stack includes a first plate having a first coolant face with a first set of coolant channels formed therein. A second plate has a second coolant face with a second set of coolant channels formed therein. The first and second coolant faces are adjacent to one another to intermittently cross-link the first and second sets of coolant channels over a region of the first and second coolant faces.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2004Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Matthew J Beutel, Lee C Whitehead, Jeffrey A Rock, Michael D Cartwright
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Publication number: 20100196799Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of the A286 alloy grade for the manufacture of a sheet, optionally surfaced, making it possible to obtain a conducting plate of mono polar or bipolar type for a fuel cell element. The invention also relates to this optional surface treatment process, which comprises a cold-rolling step followed by a continuous annealing step in an oxidizing atmosphere and by an acid pickling step.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2007Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicants: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude et L'Exploration DesProcedes George Claude, Arcelormittal-Stainless & Nickel Alloys, Alfa Laval Corporate ABInventors: Eric Claude, Richard Bousquet, Gilles Platen, Claude Roussel
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Publication number: 20100178579Abstract: A bipolar plate which can be produced particularly economically for a fuel cell, with which a high degree of efficiency is guaranteed over a long service life. The bipolar plate has a core layer consisting of a steel material, the surfaces of said core layer, which are associated with the respective electrolyte carriers of the fuel cell, having a corrosion protection layer, protecting the core layer against corrosion. The corrosion protection layers consist of a metal material and extend on both sides over the whole surface of the core layer. At the same time the corrosion protection layers are in turn coated over the whole surface with an electrically conductive functional coating, which is essentially entirely impermeable for the metal ions emerging from the core layer and/or the corrosion protection layers. The invention likewise relates to at least one fuel cell comprising a bipolar plate according to the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2008Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicant: THYSSENKRUPP STEEL EUROPE AGInventors: Stefan Wischmann, Horst Walter Tamler, Roland Wunderlich, Michael Steinhorst, Krasimir Nikolov, Nicole Weiher, Jens-Ulrik Becker, Stefan Peter Puls, Bernd Schuhmacher
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Publication number: 20100151347Abstract: Bipolar plate for a fuel cell, of the type comprising a cathode bipolar half-plate and an anode bipolar half-plate which are secured to each other, each bipolar half-plate (1) being constituted by a plate which comprises, in the central portion thereof, an active zone (2) and, at the peripheral portion thereof, a plurality of cut-outs (5) which are intended to constitute at least two oxidant units, at least two fuel units and at least two heat-exchange fluid units, at least one bipolar half-plate (1) comprising at least one connection between a peripheral cut-out (5) and the active zone (2), and comprising, at the periphery thereof, at least one hollow housing (140) which is intended to receive a connector (141) for electrical measurement.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2006Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicants: PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES SA, COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUEInventors: Damien Lemasson, Xavier Glipa, Jean-Philippe Poirot-Crouvenzier, Pascal Schott
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Publication number: 20100136462Abstract: An electrically conductive plate for fuel cell applications comprises a plate body having at least one channel-defining surface and an electrically conductive hydrophilic layer disposed over at least a portion of the channel-defining surface. The electrically conductive layer includes residues of a silane coupling agent and electrically conductive hydrophilic carbon.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2009Publication date: June 3, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Richard H. Blunk, Feng Zhong, Tina T. Salguero, Kevin W. Kirby