US5009968A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel cell end plate structure
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1989-09-08
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Granted: 1991-04-23
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Expires: 2009-09-08
Abstract
Abstract The end plates (16) of a fuel cell stack (12) are formed of a thin membrane. Pressure plates (20) exert compressive load through insulation layers (22, 26) to the membrane. Electrical contact between the end plates (16) and electrodes (50, 58) is maintained without deleterious making and breaking of electrical contacts during thermal transients. The thin end plate (16) under compressive load will not distort with a temperature difference across its thickness. Pressure plate (20) experiences a low thermal transient because it is insulated from the cell. The impact on the end plate of any slight deflection created in the pressure plate by temperature difference is minimized by the resilient pressure pad, in the form of insulation, therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 Robin J. Guthrie
- 👤 Murray Katz
- 👤 Craig R. Schroll
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:11
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/02; H01M8/0202; H01M8/0247; H01M8/04; H01M8/04007; H01M8/24; H01M8/241; H01M8/244; H01M8/2465; H01M8/247; H01M8/2484; H01M8/2485; H01M8/14; H01M2008/147; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0017; H01M2300/0048; H01M2300/0051; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A fuel cell assembly comprising: a fuel cell stack formed of a large number of fuel cells having electrodes and stacked in electrical series relationship; an electrically conducting flexible membrane at each end of said stack, each membrane in electrical contact with an electrode at multiple spaced locations in a plane parallel to the planes of said fuel cells; a pressure pad at each end of said fuel cell stack including a substantially planar surface in contact with the respective membrane; compression means for exerting a compressive force on said pressure pads towards said fuel cell stack; said membranes being sufficiently thin, that the compressive force maintains the membranes in intimate electrical contact with said electrodes at multiple locations; each membrane integral with a box-like wall structure of a thickness greater than that of said membrane, and extending axially of said fuel cell stack at the outer periphery of said membrane; and an electric power bus bar connected to said box-like wall structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A fuel cell assembly comprising: a fuel cell stack formed of a large number of fuel cells having electrodes and stacked in electrical series relationship; an electrically conducting flexible membrane at each end of said stack, each membrane in electrical contact with an electrode at multiple spaced locations in a plane parallel to the planes of said fuel cells; a pressure pad at each end of said fuel cell stack including a substantially planar surface in contact with the respective membrane; compression means for exerting a compressive force on said pressure pads towards said fuel cell stack; said membranes being sufficiently thin, that the compressive force maintains the membranes in intimate electrical contact with said electrodes at multiple locations; each membrane integral with a box-like wall structure of a thickness greater than that of said membrane, and extending axially of said fuel cell stack at the outer periphery of said membrane; and an electric power bus bar connected to said box-like wall structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A fuel cell assembly as in claim 1: fuel manifolds; air manifolds; and each manifold sealingly abutting said box-like walls.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A fuel cell apparatus as in claim 2: said fuel cells being molten carbonate fuel cells.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A fuel cell assembly as in claim 2: each box-like wall having an outwardly extending reinforcing flange.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
145 words
A fuel assembly comprising: a fuel cell stack formed of a large number of fuel cells having electrodes and stacked in electrical series relationship; an electrically conducting flexible membrane at each end of said stack, each membrane in electrical contact with an electrode at multiple spaced locations in a plane parallel to the planes of said fuel cells; a pressure pad at each end of said fuel cell stack including a substantially planar surface in contact with the respective membrane; thick pressure plates in compressive contact with said pressure pad for exerting a compressive force on said pressure pads towards said fuel cell stack; said membranes being sufficiently thin, that the compressive force maintains the membranes in intimate electrical contact with said electrodes at multiple locations; two heaters; and each of said heaters interposed in said semi-rigid insulation between said membrane and said pressure plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
145 words
A fuel assembly comprising: a fuel cell stack formed of a large number of fuel cells having electrodes and stacked in electrical series relationship; an electrically conducting flexible membrane at each end of said stack, each membrane in electrical contact with an electrode at multiple spaced locations in a plane parallel to the planes of said fuel cells; a pressure pad at each end of said fuel cell stack including a substantially planar surface in contact with the respective membrane; thick pressure plates in compressive contact with said pressure pad for exerting a compressive force on said pressure pads towards said fuel cell stack; said membranes being sufficiently thin, that the compressive force maintains the membranes in intimate electrical contact with said electrodes at multiple locations; two heaters; and each of said heaters interposed in said semi-rigid insulation between said membrane and said pressure plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A fuel cell apparatus as in claim 5: said membrane between 0.2 and 1 cm thick.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A fuel cell assembly as in claim 5: each membrane integral with a box-like wall structure extending axially of said fuel cell stack at the outer periphery of said membrane; fuel manifolds; air manifolds; and each manifold sealingly abutting said box-like walls.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A fuel cell assembly as in claim 7: each box-like wall having an outwardly extending reinforcing flange.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A fuel cell apparatus as in claim 8: said membrane between 0.2 and 1 cm thick.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
153 words
A fuel cell assembly comprising: a fuel cell stack formed of a large number of fuel cells having electrodes and stacked in electrical series relationship; an electrically conducting flexible membrane at each end of said stack, each membrane in electrical contact with an electrode at multiple spaced locations in a plane parallel to the planes of said fuel cells; a pressure pad at each end of said fuel cell stack including a substantially planar surface in contact with the respective membrane; compression means for exerting a compressive force on said pressure pads towards said fuel cell stack; said membranes being sufficiently thin, that the compressive force maintains the membranes in intimate electrical contact with said electrodes at multiple locations; each membrane integral with a box-like wall structure extending axially of said fuel cell stack at the outer periphery of said membrane; fuel manifolds; air manifolds; and each manifold sealingly abutting said box-like walls.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
153 words
A fuel cell assembly comprising: a fuel cell stack formed of a large number of fuel cells having electrodes and stacked in electrical series relationship; an electrically conducting flexible membrane at each end of said stack, each membrane in electrical contact with an electrode at multiple spaced locations in a plane parallel to the planes of said fuel cells; a pressure pad at each end of said fuel cell stack including a substantially planar surface in contact with the respective membrane; compression means for exerting a compressive force on said pressure pads towards said fuel cell stack; said membranes being sufficiently thin, that the compressive force maintains the membranes in intimate electrical contact with said electrodes at multiple locations; each membrane integral with a box-like wall structure extending axially of said fuel cell stack at the outer periphery of said membrane; fuel manifolds; air manifolds; and each manifold sealingly abutting said box-like walls.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A fuel cell assembly as in claim 10: each box-like wall having an outwardly extending reinforcing flange.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
A fuel cell assembly as in claim 11: a plurality of struts connecting opposite walls of said box-like structure; said struts free of said membrane; and said force transmitting means segmented to form parallel force transmitting paths between said struts.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A fuel cell apparatus as in claim 11: an electric power bus bar connected to each box-like wall.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
135 words
A fuel cell assembly comprising: a fuel cell stack formed of a large number of fuel cells having electrodes and stacked in electrical series relationship; an electrically conducting flexible membrane at each end of said stack, each membrane in electrical contact with an electrode at multiple spaced locations in a plane parallel to the planes of said fuel cells; a pressure pad at each end of said fuel cell stack including a substantially planar surface in contact with the respective membrane; compression means for exerting a compressive force on said pressure pads towards said fuel cell stack; said membranes being sufficiently thin, that the compressive force maintains the membranes in intimate electrical contact with said electrodes at multiple locations; said membrane between 0.2 1 cm thick; and said fuel cells being molten carbonate fuel cells.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
135 words
A fuel cell assembly comprising: a fuel cell stack formed of a large number of fuel cells having electrodes and stacked in electrical series relationship; an electrically conducting flexible membrane at each end of said stack, each membrane in electrical contact with an electrode at multiple spaced locations in a plane parallel to the planes of said fuel cells; a pressure pad at each end of said fuel cell stack including a substantially planar surface in contact with the respective membrane; compression means for exerting a compressive force on said pressure pads towards said fuel cell stack; said membranes being sufficiently thin, that the compressive force maintains the membranes in intimate electrical contact with said electrodes at multiple locations; said membrane between 0.2 1 cm thick; and said fuel cells being molten carbonate fuel cells.
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) | 1994-04-22 | 1994-10-22 | 1995-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-22 | 1998-10-22 | 1999-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-22 | 2002-10-22 | 2003-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |