Title: Electrolyzer assembly method and system

Abstract

The present techniques provide a novel electrolyzer and methods for welding components of such electrolyzers. The techniques may use conductors, such as resistance wires, placed in paths around the internal structural features and edges of the components. The conductors may be incorporated into the components during manufacture by injection molding, or other molding techniques, or may be tacked or otherwise applied to the surface of the components after manufacture. When current, a field or other excitation is applied to the conductors, the plastic surrounding the wire is melted. If this plastic is in direct contact with an adjoining component, a strong, hermetic seal may be formed between the two components, including the internal structural features.

Inventors:

Swala, Dana Ray; Bourgeois, Richard Scott; Paraszczak, Steven; Buckley, Donald Joseph

Issue Date:

2017-05-23

Research Org.:

General Electric Co., Schenectady, NY (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1358261

Patent Number(s):

9657400

Application Number:

12/136,383

Assignee:

General Electric Company

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29C - SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29K - INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29C - SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS

B29C65/342 - {comprising at least a single wire, e.g. in the form of a winding}
B29C65/3476 - {being metallic}
B29C65/362 - {comprising at least a single wire, e.g. in the form of a winding}
B29C65/3632 - {comprising several wires, e.g. in the form of several independent windings
B29C65/3676 - {being metallic}
B29C66/54 - {Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-shells, to form hollow articles, e.g. for making balls, containers
B29C66/5414 - {said substantially flat extra element being rigid, e.g. a plate
B29C66/543 - {joining more than two hollow-preforms to form said hollow articles}
B29C66/71 - {characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
B29C66/91411 - {of the parts to be joined, e.g. the joining process taking the temperature of the parts to be joined into account}
B29C66/91651 - {by controlling or regulating the heat generated by Joule heating or induction heating}
B29C66/919 - {characterised by specific temperature, heat or thermal flux values or ranges
B29C66/91933 - {higher than said fusion temperature}
B29C66/949 - {characterised by specific time values or ranges}

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29K - INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS

B29K2023/06 - {PE, i.e. polyethylene}
B29K2023/12 - {PP, i.e. polypropylene}
B29K2025/00 - Use of polymers of vinyl-aromatic compounds {or derivatives thereof} as moulding material
B29K2025/06 - {PS, i.e. polystyrene}
B29K2025/08 - {Copolymers of styrene, e.g. AS or SAN, i.e. acrylonitrile styrene
B29K2027/12 - containing fluorine
B29K2063/00 - Use of {EP, i.e.} epoxy resins {or derivatives thereof}, as moulding material
B29K2069/00 - Use of PC, i.e. polycarbonates {or derivatives thereof}, as moulding material
B29K2071/00 - Use of polyethers {, e.g. PEEK, i.e. polyether-etherketone or PEK, i.e. polyetherketone or derivatives thereof}, as moulding material
B29K2071/12 - {PPO, i.e. polyphenylene oxide
B29K2077/00 - Use of {PA, i.e.} polyamides, e.g. polyesteramides {or derivatives thereof}, as moulding material
B29K2079/08 - {PI, i.e. polyimides or derivatives thereof}
B29K2079/085 - {Thermoplastic polyimides, e.g. polyesterimides, PEI, i.e. polyetherimides, or polyamideimides
B29K2081/04 - {Polysulfides, e.g. PPS, i.e. polyphenylene sulfide or derivatives thereof}
B29K2081/06 - {PSU, i.e. polysulfones

C - CHEMISTRY C25 - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES C25B - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS

C25B9/00 - Cells or assemblies of cells

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E60/36 - Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y10 - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC Y10T - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

Y10T29/49002 - Electrical device making

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DOE Contract Number:  

FC07-06ID14789

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2008 Jun 10

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION