US4756718A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of manufacturing a fuel cell assembly
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1987-03-16
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Granted: 1988-07-12
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Expires: 2007-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A method of manufacturing a fuel cell assembly, said assembly comprising at least one unit cell, said unit cell comprising at least two planar electrodes, said electrodes being ribbed on one side thereof and having a catalyst layer on the second side thereof, and a matrix impregnated with an electrolyte, comprising the steps of: arranging said electrolytes on each side of said matrix with said second side of each said electrode in contact with said matrix; and polarizing the potential of at least one electrode in one of the positive and negative directions by applying a potential from an external source.
Inventors
- 👤 Mitsushi Ueno
- 👤 Noboru Segawa
- 👤 Yasuji Ogami
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:46
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/04; H01M8/04223; H01M8/02; H01M8/0202; H01M8/0258; H01M8/026; H01M8/0271; H01M8/24; H01M8/2404; H01M8/241; H01M8/2457; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49108; Y10T29/49115
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of manufacturing a fuel cell assembly, said assembly comprising at least one unit cell, said unit cell comprising at least two planar electrodes, said electrodes being ribbed on one side thereof and having a catalyst layer on the second side thereof, and a matrix impregnated with an electrolyte, comprising the steps of: arranging said electrolytes on each side of said matrix with said second side of each said electrode in contact with said matrix; and polarizing the potential of at least one electrode in one of the positive and negative directions by applying a potential from an external source.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of manufacturing a fuel cell assembly, said assembly comprising at least one unit cell, said unit cell comprising at least two planar electrodes, said electrodes being ribbed on one side thereof and having a catalyst layer on the second side thereof, and a matrix impregnated with an electrolyte, comprising the steps of: arranging said electrolytes on each side of said matrix with said second side of each said electrode in contact with said matrix; and polarizing the potential of at least one electrode in one of the positive and negative directions by applying a potential from an external source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said fuel is hydrogen and said electrode is polarized up to the oxygen or hydrogen evolution potential.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said electrolyte is a member selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, alkalis, organic electrolytes, and fused carbonate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said electrolyte is phosphoric acid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said catalyst layer comprises a catalytic metal and a hydrophobic polymer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said catalytic metal is platinum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said hydrophobic polymer is polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1, wherein both said electrodes ar polarized.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of reversing the polarization potential of said electrode at least one time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said reversing is performed at least two times.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising laminating a plurality of said unit cells together.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-07-12 | 1992-01-11 | 1992-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-07-12 | 1996-01-11 | 1996-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-07-12 | 2000-01-11 | 2000-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |