Manifold seal structure for fuel cell stack

Patent · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:866571

Collins, William P ^[1]

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1. South Windsor, CT

The seal between the sides of a fuel cell stack and the gas manifolds is improved by adding a mechanical interlock between the adhesive sealing strip and the abutting surface of the manifolds. The adhesive is a material which can flow to some extent when under compression, and the mechanical interlock is formed providing small openings in the portion of the manifold which abuts the adhesive strip. When the manifolds are pressed against the adhesive strips, the latter will flow into and through the manifold openings to form buttons or ribs which mechanically interlock with the manifolds. These buttons or ribs increase the bond between the manifolds and adhesive, which previously relied solely on the adhesive nature of the adhesive.

• Research Organization: INTERNATIONAL FUEL CELLS CORP
• DOE Contract Number: AC21-83FE60338
• Assignee: International Fuel Cells Corporation (South Windsor, CT)
• Patent Number(s): US 4738905
• OSTI ID: 866571
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/429/220/
abuts
abutting
abutting surface
adding
adhesive
adhesive seal
adhesive sealing
bond
buttons
cell
cell stack
compression
extent
flow
form
formed
fuel
fuel cell
gas
gas manifold
gas manifolds
improved
increase
interlock
latter
manifold
manifold seal
manifolds
material
mechanical
mechanically
nature
openings
portion
pressed
previously
providing
relied
ribs
seal
seal structure
sealing
solely
stack
strip
strips
structure
surface