Integral gas seal for fuel cell gas distribution assemblies and method of fabrication
- E. Hanover, NJ
- Chatham Township, Morris County, NJ
A porous gas distribution plate assembly for a fuel cell, such as a bipolar assembly, includes an inner impervious region wherein the bipolar assembly has good surface porosity but no through-plane porosity and wherein electrical conductivity through the impervious region is maintained. A hot-pressing process for forming the bipolar assembly includes placing a layer of thermoplastic sealant material between a pair of porous, electrically conductive plates, applying pressure to the assembly at elevated temperature, and allowing the assembly to cool before removing the pressure whereby the layer of sealant material is melted and diffused into the porous plates to form an impervious bond along a common interface between the plates holding the porous plates together. The distribution of sealant within the pores along the surface of the plates provides an effective barrier at their common interface against through-plane transmission of gas.
- Research Organization:
- ENGELHARD CORP
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC01-78ET15366
- Assignee:
- Engelhard Corporation (Iselin, NJ)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4505992
- Application Number:
- 06/484,014
- OSTI ID:
- 865378
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
gas
seal
fuel
cell
distribution
assemblies
method
fabrication
porous
plate
assembly
bipolar
inner
impervious
region
surface
porosity
through-plane
electrical
conductivity
maintained
hot-pressing
process
forming
placing
layer
thermoplastic
sealant
material
pair
electrically
conductive
plates
applying
pressure
elevated
temperature
allowing
cool
removing
whereby
melted
diffused
form
bond
common
interface
holding
pores
provides
effective
barrier
transmission
sealant material
bipolar assembly
porous plates
fuel cell
electrically conductive
elevated temperature
electrical conductivity
plate assembly
cell gas
distribution plate
applying pressure
gas distribution
gas seal
conductive plates
impervious region
porous gas
effective barrier
conductive plate
inner impervious
integral gas
distribution assemblies
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