Dry compliant seal for phosphoric acid fuel cell

Patent · Mon Dec 17 23:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:5475822

Granata, Jr, S J; Woodle, B M

This patent describes a dry compliant overlapping seal for a phosphoric acid fuel cell preformed of non-compliant Teflon to make an anode seal frame that encircles an anode assembly, a cathode seal frame that encircles a cathode assembly and a compliant seal frame made of expanded Teflon, generally encircling a matrix assembly. Each frame has a thickness selected to accommodate various tolerances of the fuel cell elements and are either bonded to one of the other frames or to a bipolar or end plate. One of the non-compliant frames is wider than the other frames forming an overlap of the matrix over the wider seal frame, which cooperates with electrolyte permeating the, matrix to form a wet seal within the fuel cell that prevents process gases from intermixing at the periphery of the fuel cell and a dry seal surrounding the cell to keep electrolyte from the periphery thereof. The frames may be made in one piece, in L-shaped portions or in strips and have an outer perimeter which registers with the outer perimeter of bipolar or end plates to form surfaces upon which flanges of pan shaped, gas manifolds can be sealed.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (USA)
• Patent Number(s): US 4978590; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-405716
• OSTI ID: 5475822
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300503* -- Fuel Cells-- Materials
Components
& Auxiliaries
ACID ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELLS
ANODES
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
FLUORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
FUEL CELLS
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
MATERIALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PHOSPHORIC ACID
PLASTICS
POLY
POLYETHYLENES
POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE
SEALS
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
TEFLON