Patent US2869187A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5384208A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5384208A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Cell structure for electrolyzer units and fuel cells
Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
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Filing: 1993-03-15
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Granted: 1995-01-24
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Expires: 2013-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A cell structure for electrolyzer units and fuel cells, comprising an electrolyte-permeable diaphragm, one metallic, electrolyte-permeable electrode respectively on either side of the diaphragm, an electrically conductive bipolar cell partition respectively which bounds the cell, one electrically conductive structure respectively between the electrode and the cell partition which acts as an elastic spacer and current supply, and a frame construction which encloses the cell on the circumference side. The diaphragm is constructed as a flat plate, with layer-type electrodes resting directly on it and integrally connected with it. The cell partitions are constructed of sheet metal, if necessary, with spacers. The spaces between the electrodes and the cell partitions are at least partially filled with lamellar structures which are axially and perpendicularly fluid-permeable and rest against the electrodes. The lamellar structures consist of a plurality of wall elements which are arranged at a narrow distance and have interposed spacers.
Inventors
- 👤 Rolf A. Brand
- 👤 Hans Hofmann
- 👤 Jurgen Hildebrandt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:35
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/02; H01M8/0202; H01M8/0204; H01M8/0223; H01M8/0228; C; C25; C25B; C25B11/00; C25B11/02; C25B11/036; C25B9/00; C25B9/13; C25B9/60; C25B9/65; C25B9/66; C25B9/70; H01M8/0206; H01M8/0208; H01M8/0247; H01M8/0254; H01M8/0258; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
296 words
A cell for electrolyzer and fuel cell units having a plurality of cells which are electrically and geometrically arranged in series, said cell comprising: a gas separator comprising a diaphragm in the form of a flat plate which divides the cell into an anode space and a cathode space, said diaphragm being permeable to an electrolyte; two metallic layer electrode elements sandwiched against said diaphragm, on opposite sides thereof, said two electrode elements being permeable to said electrolyte; two gastight, electrically conductive bipolar cell partitions arranged parallel to one another and to said two electrode elements at opposite ends of said cell, said two bipolar cell partitions separating said cell from adjacent cells, said two bipolar cell partitions being made of sheet metal; a first of said two cell partitions and of said two electrode elements defining said cathode space therebetween, and a second of said two cell partitions and of said two electrode elements defining said anode space therebetween; each of said cathode space and said anode space being at least partially filled by respective electrically conductive, elastically deformable spacer arrangements which are mechanically and electrically connected between said electrode elements and said cell partitions whereby said spacer arrangements provide electric current conducting paths between said electrode elements and said cell partitions, and enclose said cell on lateral sides thereof; said spacer arrangements comprising lamellar structural elements which are gas permeable and electrolyte permeable, at least in an axial direction perpendicular to said diaphragm and in a vertical direction parallel to a plane of said diaphragm; and said lamellar structured elements comprising a plurality of identical layers of approximately axially and vertically aligned wall elements which are maintained in parallel spaced relationship and in close proximity to each other, by a plurality of spacers therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
296 words
A cell for electrolyzer and fuel cell units having a plurality of cells which are electrically and geometrically arranged in series, said cell comprising: a gas separator comprising a diaphragm in the form of a flat plate which divides the cell into an anode space and a cathode space, said diaphragm being permeable to an electrolyte; two metallic layer electrode elements sandwiched against said diaphragm, on opposite sides thereof, said two electrode elements being permeable to said electrolyte; two gastight, electrically conductive bipolar cell partitions arranged parallel to one another and to said two electrode elements at opposite ends of said cell, said two bipolar cell partitions separating said cell from adjacent cells, said two bipolar cell partitions being made of sheet metal; a first of said two cell partitions and of said two electrode elements defining said cathode space therebetween, and a second of said two cell partitions and of said two electrode elements defining said anode space therebetween; each of said cathode space and said anode space being at least partially filled by respective electrically conductive, elastically deformable spacer arrangements which are mechanically and electrically connected between said electrode elements and said cell partitions whereby said spacer arrangements provide electric current conducting paths between said electrode elements and said cell partitions, and enclose said cell on lateral sides thereof; said spacer arrangements comprising lamellar structural elements which are gas permeable and electrolyte permeable, at least in an axial direction perpendicular to said diaphragm and in a vertical direction parallel to a plane of said diaphragm; and said lamellar structured elements comprising a plurality of identical layers of approximately axially and vertically aligned wall elements which are maintained in parallel spaced relationship and in close proximity to each other, by a plurality of spacers therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Cell structure according to claim 1, wherein said layer electrode elements have microscopic openings therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
Cell structure according to claim 1, wherein said electrodes are integrally connected to said diaphragm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
Cell structure according to claim 1, wherein said bipolar partitions have a smooth surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
Cell structure according to claim 1, wherein said bipolar partitions have fitted on spacers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Cell structure according to claim 1, wherein said bipolar partitions have molded in spacers integral thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cell structure according to claim 1, wherein the diaphragm and the electrodes arranged on opposite sides thereof are combined to form an integral unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A cell structure according to claim 1, wherein the electrodes arranged on opposite sides of the diaphragm are connected integrally, and in an electrically conductive manner, with the lamellar structured elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cell structure according to claim 1, wherein at least surfaces of the electrodes facing away from the diaphragm are activated catalytically.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cell structure according to claim 8, wherein at least surfaces of the electrodes facing away from the diaphragm are activated catalytically.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
A cell structure according to claim 1, wherein the wall elements of the lamellar structured elements are constructed as straight flat sheet metal strips; wherein the spacers of the lamellar structures are constructed as regularly bentsheet metal strips; and wherein at least the wall elements are made of a material which is one of: an amorphous metal and an amorphous metal alloy.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A cell structure according to claim 11, wherein said regularly bent sheet metal strips are bent in zigzagging straight segments.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A cell structure according to claim 12, wherein said regularly bent sheet metal strips are bent in an undulating wave shape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A cell structure according to claim 11, wherein said regularly bent sheet metal strips are bent in a sinusoidal shape.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A cell structure according to claim 11, wherein said sheet metal strips are provided with at least one of: openings therethrough and edge recesses.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A cell structure according to claim 11, wherein the elements of the lamellar structure in the cathode space consist of an amorphous nickel and in the anode space are made of an amorphous nickel-cobalt-alloy.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cell structure according to claim 16, wherein the ratio of Ni to Co in said alloy is approximately 1 to 2.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
A cell structure according to claim 1, wherein the wall elements of the lamellar structured elements are constructed as straight flat sheet metal strips, and wherein the spacers of the lamellar structured elements are one of: straight and regularly deformed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A cell structure according to claim 18, wherein said spacers are formed of undulated metal netting strips.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
57 words
A cell structure according to claim 1, wherein each cell is constructed as a gas lift cell without any electrolyte circulating pump which, before operation, is filled with an electrolyte only to a small portion of its height, and wherein at least one perpendicularly permeable larger flow cross-section is provided for the return flow of the electrolyte.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
A cell structure according to claim 20, wherein said small portion is 10 percent.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
A cell structure according to claim 1, wherein sides of the electrodes which face away from the diaphragm are hydrophobically coated by means of a material on a base of polytetrafluor ethylene.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-23 | 1998-07-25 | 1999-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-23 | 2002-07-25 | 2003-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-23 | 2006-07-25 | 2007-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |