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US4478918A
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Fuel cell stack
Assignee: UTC Power Corp
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Filing: 1982-12-15
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Granted: 1984-10-23
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Expires: 2002-12-15
Abstract
Abstract A fuel cell stack has a plurality of stacked unit cells, each consisting of a pair of gas diffusion electrodes with a matrix containing an electrolyte solution interposed between them, with an interconnector having a fuel gas passage on one surface and an oxidizing gas agent passage on the other surface interposed between each pair of adjacent unit cells. One out of every three to five interconnectors is a one-piece-molded product which has at least one cooling pipe embedded in it and which provides an excellent cooling effect. The fuel cell stack stably provides a high output voltage over a long period of operation time.
Inventors
- 👤 Mitsushi Ueno
- 👤 Tadanori Maoka
- 👤 Kenji Murata
- 👤 Tamotsu Shirogami
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:11
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/04; H01M8/04007; H01M8/04067; H01M8/04074; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A fuel cell stack having: a plurality of stacked unit cells, each of said unit cells consisting of a pair of gas diffusion electrodes and a matrix containing an electrolyte solution interposed between said electrodes, and an interconnector having a fuel gas passage on one surface and an oxidizing agent gas passage on the other surface interposed between each pair of adjacent ones of said unit cells, wherein at least one of said interconnectors includes a one-piece-molded product and at least one cooling pipe coated with an insulating film embedded in said one-piece-molded product.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A fuel cell stack having: a plurality of stacked unit cells, each of said unit cells consisting of a pair of gas diffusion electrodes and a matrix containing an electrolyte solution interposed between said electrodes, and an interconnector having a fuel gas passage on one surface and an oxidizing agent gas passage on the other surface interposed between each pair of adjacent ones of said unit cells, wherein at least one of said interconnectors includes a one-piece-molded product and at least one cooling pipe coated with an insulating film embedded in said one-piece-molded product.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A fuel cell stack according to claim 1, wherein the electrolyte solution is phosphoric acid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A fuel cell stack according to claim 2, wherein the gas passages comprise grooves.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A fuel cell stack according to claim 3, wherein said grooves as said fuel gas passage and said grooves as said oxidizing gas passage extend perpendicularly to each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A fuel cell stack according to claim 1, wherein said interconnectors consist of carbon and thermosetting resin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A fuel cell stack according to claim 1, wherein said insulating film is an electrostatic-coated film.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A fuel cell stack according to claim 6, wherein said insulating film consists of a fluorocarbon polymer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A fuel cell stack according to claim 7, wherein said insulating film is formed by electrostatic coating of the fluorocarbon polymer and subsequent heat treatment at a temperature higher than a softening point thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A fuel cell stack according to claim 7, wherein the fluorocarbon polymer is polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A fuel cell stack according to claim 6, wherein said elecrostatic-coated film is formed by a plurality of electorstatic coating processes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A fuel cell stack according to claim 6, wherein said cooling pipes comprise a plurality of U-shaped pipes which are connected to each other by bridges.
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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) | 1987-10-23 | 1988-04-23 | 1988-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-23 | 1992-04-23 | 1992-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-23 | 1996-04-23 | 1996-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |