Conductivity fuel cell collector plate and method of fabrication

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2002

OSTI ID:874736

Braun, James C ^[1]

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1. Juno Beach, FL

An improved method of manufacturing a PEM fuel cell collector plate is disclosed. During molding a highly conductive polymer composite is formed having a relatively high polymer concentration along its external surfaces. After molding the polymer rich layer is removed from the land areas by machining, grinding or similar process. This layer removal results in increased overall conductivity of the molded collector plate. The polymer rich surface remains in the collector plate channels, providing increased mechanical strength and other benefits to the channels. The improved method also permits greater mold cavity thickness providing a number of advantages during the molding process.

• Research Organization: Energy Partners, L.C. (West Palm Beach, FL)
• DOE Contract Number: FC02-97EE50476
• Assignee: Teledyne Energy Systems, Inc. (Hunt Valley, MD)
• Patent Number(s): US 6451471
• OSTI ID: 874736
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

conductivity
fuel
cell
collector
plate
method
fabrication
improved
manufacturing
pem
disclosed
molding
highly
conductive
polymer
composite
formed
concentration
external
surfaces
rich
layer
removed
land
machining
grinding
similar
process
removal
results
increased
overall
molded
surface
remains
channels
providing
mechanical
strength
benefits
permits
mold
cavity
thickness
advantages
fuel cell
polymer composite
collector plate
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