US4259389A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High pressure-low porosity wet seal
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1978-12-22
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Granted: 1981-03-31
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Expires: 1998-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A high pressure, low porosity wet seal for a substrate in a fuel cell in which the seal is made up of a granular material having a particle size varying from 10 to 0.1 microns in size bonded together with polytetrafluoroethylene to prevent leakage of the gaseous fuel or oxidant from the cell.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond W. Vine
- 👤 Stephen T. Narsavage
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:51
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/02; H01M8/0271; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24777; Y10T428/24802; Y10T428/24893; Y10T428/25; Y10T428/259; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2982; Y10T428/2991; Y10T428/2993; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/3154; Y10T428/31544
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A porous electrode substrate for a fuel cell having a seal portion along at least one edge thereof where the substrate is clamped by the sealing surfaces of the distributor plates of the cell, the seal being in a band along the edge of the electrode to prevent leakage of gas from the cell, the band being substantially the width of the sealing surfaces of the plates and in a position to be clamped thereby, the seal consisting of an inert powder selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, carbon or graphite, this powder having a variable particle size from 10 to 0.1 microns and being mixed with about 2% of polytetrafluoroethylene as a binder, this sealing material being in a band on the substrate of such thickness and width as to be clamped by the distributor plates and prevent gas leakage past said seal during fuel cell operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A porous electrode substrate for a fuel cell having a seal portion along at least one edge thereof where the substrate is clamped by the sealing surfaces of the distributor plates of the cell, the seal being in a band along the edge of the electrode to prevent leakage of gas from the cell, the band being substantially the width of the sealing surfaces of the plates and in a position to be clamped thereby, the seal consisting of an inert powder selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, carbon or graphite, this powder having a variable particle size from 10 to 0.1 microns and being mixed with about 2% of polytetrafluoroethylene as a binder, this sealing material being in a band on the substrate of such thickness and width as to be clamped by the distributor plates and prevent gas leakage past said seal during fuel cell operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A porous electrode substrate as in claim 1 in which the maximum particle size for the seal material is about 5 microns.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A porous electrode substrate as in claim 1 in which the size range for the seal particles is from 5 to 1 microns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A porous electrode substrate as in claim 1 in which the inert powder is silicon carbide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-03-30 | 1984-09-29 | 1985-03-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-30 | 1988-09-29 | 1989-03-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-30 | 1992-09-29 | 1993-03-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |