Fuel cell assembly unit for promoting fluid service and electrical conductivity

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1999

OSTI ID:872782

Jones, Daniel O ^[1]

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1. Glenville, NY

Fluid service and/or electrical conductivity for a fuel cell assembly is promoted. Open-faced flow channel(s) are formed in a flow field plate face, and extend in the flow field plate face between entry and exit fluid manifolds. A resilient gas diffusion layer is located between the flow field plate face and a membrane electrode assembly, fluidly serviced with the open-faced flow channel(s). The resilient gas diffusion layer is restrained against entering the open-faced flow channel(s) under a compressive force applied to the fuel cell assembly. In particular, a first side of a support member abuts the flow field plate face, and a second side of the support member abuts the resilient gas diffusion layer. The support member is formed with a plurality of openings extending between the first and second sides of the support member. In addition, a clamping pressure is maintained for an interface between the resilient gas diffusion layer and a portion of the membrane electrode assembly. Preferably, the support member is spikeless and/or substantially flat. Further, the support member is formed with an electrical path for conducting current between the resilient gas diffusion layer and position(s) on the flow field plate face.

• Research Organization: Ford Motor Company, Detroit, MI (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-94CE50389
• Assignee: Plug Power, L.L.C. (Latham, NY)
• Patent Number(s): US 6007933
• OSTI ID: 872782
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

fuel
cell
assembly
unit
promoting
fluid
service
electrical
conductivity
promoted
open-faced
flow
channel
formed
field
plate
extend
entry
exit
manifolds
resilient
gas
diffusion
layer
located
membrane
electrode
fluidly
serviced
restrained
entering
compressive
force
applied
particular
support
abuts
plurality
openings
extending
addition
clamping
pressure
maintained
interface
portion
preferably
spikeless
substantially
flat
path
conducting
current
position
compressive force
membrane electrode
fuel cell
substantially flat
force applied
gas diffusion
electrode assembly
flow field
flow channel
electrical conductivity
cell assembly
diffusion layer
field plate
openings extending
electrical path
conducting current
fluid service
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