| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080251770 | ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE ELEMENT TREATED FOR USE IN A FUEL CELL - The present invention provides an electrically conductive element for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell having low electrical contact resistance and high corrosion resistance. The conductive element comprises a corrosion susceptible metal substrate with a surface, which is preferably treated to activate the surface (i.e., to remove a passivation layer of oxides from the surface) with an acidic treatment solution. The treated surface is then overlaid with an electrically conductive, corrosion-resistant, protective coating to protect the substrate re-forming a passivation layer while exposed to the corrosive environment of the fuel cell. The present invention also provides methods of preparing an electrically conductive element to have low electrical contact resistance and high corrosion resistance. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080292916 | JOINING BIPOLAR PLATES USING LOCALIZED ELECTRICAL NODES - A bipolar plate assembly for a fuel cell is provided. The bipolar plate assembly includes a first unipolar plate disposed adjacent to a second unipolar plate. The first unipolar plate and the second unipolar plate are bonded by a plurality of localized electrically conductive nodes. A fuel cell stack including the bipolar plate assembly and a method for preparing the bipolar plate assembly are also described. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080318110 | THERMOPLASTIC BIPOLAR PLATE - A method of manufacturing a fuel cell bipolar plate comprising first and second thermoformed plates. The thermoformed plates comprise at least one thermoplastic polymer. The method includes providing film cast resin mixture and forming it into a substantially flat sheet having first and second opposing major surfaces. The sheet may be preheated to a predetermined temperature and thermoformed thereby creating separator plates of a desired size and shape. First and second plates are joined to form an integral bipolar plate. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090053563 | PLATE FOR A FUEL CELL ASSEMBLY - A unitized plate such as a bipolar plate for a fuel cell assembly is provided. The unitized plate includes a plurality of active regions electrically insulated from one another, and a plurality of inlet and outlet apertures formed in the plate. Each of the active regions is in fluid communication with a dedicated inlet aperture adapted to selectively deliver gaseous reactants thereto. A fuel cell assembly having a plurality of independently operable fuel cell stack units, and a method for operating the fuel cell assembly, is also provided. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090186251 | MEMBRANE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY HAVING LOW SURFACE IONOMER CONCENTRATION - A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) comprises a polymer electrolyte membrane having at least one electrode layer on each of the opposing sides of the membrane. The electrode layer comprises a catalyst, an electrically conductive particulate material and an ionomer binder. The ionomer binder concentration on the exterior surface of the MEA is lower than the ionomer binder concentration near the electrode membrane interface. The electrode layer is formed by casting and drying a solvent ink layer between a nonporous release surface and a porous releasable decal. | 07-23-2009 |
