US4605602A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Corrosion protected, multi-layer fuel cell interface
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1984-08-27
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Granted: 1986-08-12
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Expires: 2004-08-27
Abstract
Abstract An improved interface configuration for use between adjacent elements of a fuel cell stack. The interface is impervious to gas and liquid and provides resistance to corrosion by the electrolyte of the fuel cell. The multi-layer configuration for the interface comprises a non-cupreous metal-coated metallic element to which is film-bonded a conductive layer by hot pressing a resin therebetween. The multi-layer arrangement provides bridging electrical contact.
Inventors
- 👤 Haim Feigenbaum
- 👤 Sheldon Pudick
- 👤 Chiu L. Wang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:58
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/02; H01M8/0297; H01M8/0202; H01M8/0258; H01M8/0263; H01M8/0267; H01M8/24; H01M8/2465; H01M8/2484; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49108; Y10T29/4911
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of stacked elements, including at least one corrosion resistant, electrically conductive, fluid impervious interface arranged between two of said elements which are not adjacent to one another, said interface comprising a non-cupreous metal coating formed on at least one of said elements and a conductive layer bonded to at least said metal-coated element by a hot-pressed resin, said resin substantially filling any pores in said conductive layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of stacked elements, including at least one corrosion resistant, electrically conductive, fluid impervious interface arranged between two of said elements which are not adjacent to one another, said interface comprising a non-cupreous metal coating formed on at least one of said elements and a conductive layer bonded to at least said metal-coated element by a hot-pressed resin, said resin substantially filling any pores in said conductive layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A fuel cell stack as in claim 1 wherein one of said two elements comprises a gas distribution plate and wherein the other of said two elements comprises a metal-coated cooling plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A fuel cell stack as in claim 1 wherein one of said two elements comprise a gas distribution plate and wherein the other of said two elements comprises a metal-coated current collecting plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A fuel cell stack as in claim 1 wherein said conductive layer comprises carbon paper and said resin comprises polyethersulfone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A fuel cell stack as in claim 4 wherein said conductive layer comprises carbon paper treated with a fluoropolymer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A fuel cell stack as in claim 1 wherein said metal coating is selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, ruthenium, ruthenium-nickel and palladium-nickel and combinations thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
104 words
A process for forming a corrosion resistant, electrically conductive, fluid impervious interface between two adjacent elements of a fuel cell cell comprising: (a) coating at least one of said elements with a non-cupreous metal; (b) arranging between said elements a conductive layer and a resin layer between said conductive layer and said metal-coated element; and (c) hot pressing together said two elements having said layers therebetween so that a bonded, bridging electrical contact is provided between said conductive layer and the metal-coated surface of at least one of said two elements and so that said resin substantially fill the pores of said conductive layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
104 words
A process for forming a corrosion resistant, electrically conductive, fluid impervious interface between two adjacent elements of a fuel cell cell comprising: (a) coating at least one of said elements with a non-cupreous metal; (b) arranging between said elements a conductive layer and a resin layer between said conductive layer and said metal-coated element; and (c) hot pressing together said two elements having said layers therebetween so that a bonded, bridging electrical contact is provided between said conductive layer and the metal-coated surface of at least one of said two elements and so that said resin substantially fill the pores of said conductive layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process as in claim 7 wherein said hot pressing is carried out at a pressure of from about 100 to about 300 psi and at a temperature of from about 500 to about 750 degrees F.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process as in claim 8 wherein said conductive layer comprises carbon paper and said resin comprises polyethersulfone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process as in claim 7 wherein one of said two elements comprises a gas distribution plate and wherein the other of said two elements comprises a cooling plate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process as in claim 7 wherein one of said two elements comprises a gas distribution plate and wherein the other of said two elements comprises a current collecting plate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process as in claim 7 wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, ruthenium, ruthenium-nickel and palladium-nickel and combinations thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4526843A
Cited
US4505992A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-08-11 | 1990-02-10 | 1990-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-08-11 | 1994-02-10 | 1994-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-08-11 | 1998-02-10 | 1998-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |