Patent US5514487A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5514487A
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Edge manifold assembly for an electrochemical fuel cell stack
Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc
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Filing: 1994-12-27
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Granted: 1996-05-07
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Expires: 2014-12-27
Abstract
Abstract An edge manifold assembly conducts, introduces and receives reactant and coolant streams to and from an electrochemical fuel cell stack. The assembly comprises a plurality of manifold plates. Each of the fuel cells has a pair of manifold plates attached thereto. Each of the manifold plates has at least one manifold opening formed therein for containing a fluid and at least one channel formed therein for effecting fluid communication between the manifold opening and the fuel cell to which the manifold plate is attached.
Inventors
- 👤 Kirk B. Washington
- 👤 John T. Kenna
- 👤 Shiraz N. Ramji
- 👤 Gregory A. James
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:34
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/04; H01M8/04007; H01M8/04067; H01M8/04074; H01M8/02; H01M8/0202; H01M8/0258; H01M8/0263; H01M8/0271; H01M8/0273; H01M8/24; H01M8/241; H01M8/2465; H01M8/2483; H01M8/2484; H01M8/2485; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0017; H01M2300/0065; H01M2300/0082; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
An edge manifold assembly for an electrochemical fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cells, said assembly comprising a plurality of manifold plates, each of said fuel cells having a pair of manifold plates attached thereto, each of said manifold plates having at least one manifold opening formed therein for containing a fluid and having at least one channel formed therein for effecting fluid communication between said manifold opening and the fuel cell to which said manifold plate is attached.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
An edge manifold assembly for an electrochemical fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cells, said assembly comprising a plurality of manifold plates, each of said fuel cells having a pair of manifold plates attached thereto, each of said manifold plates having at least one manifold opening formed therein for containing a fluid and having at least one channel formed therein for effecting fluid communication between said manifold opening and the fuel cell to which said manifold plate is attached.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The edge manifold assembly of claim 1 wherein each of said fuel cells is substantially rectangular in cross section and each of said pair of manifold plates is disposed on opposite sides of each of said fuel cells.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The edge manifold assembly of claim 2 wherein each of said fuel cells is substantially square in cross section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The edge manifold assembly of claim 1 wherein each of said manifold plates has a tube mounted within each of said at least one channel, said tube extending from said manifold plate into the fuel cell to which said manifold plate is attached.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The edge manifold assembly of claim 4 wherein said tube is metallic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The edge manifold assembly of claim 1 wherein said at least one channel comprises a plurality of spaced channels for effecting fluid communication between said manifold opening and the fuel cell to which said manifold is attached.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The edge manifold assembly of claim 6 wherein said channels extend through said manifold plate substantially in parallel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The edge manifold assembly of claim 7 wherein said at least one manifold opening is formed such that said channels extend through said manifold plate substantially the same distance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The edge manifold assembly of claim 1 wherein each of said manifold plates has a recessed portion formed in one surface thereof, said recessed portion substantially circumscribing said at least one manifold opening, and a notched portion extending from the oppositely facing surface thereof, whereby said notched portion extends into the recessed portion of the adjacent manifold plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The edge manifold assembly of claim 9 further comprising a sealing gasket disposed within said recessed portion such that the notched portion of the adjacent manifold plate compresses said sealing gasket.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The edge manifold assembly of claim 1 wherein said manifold plates are formed from an electrically insulating material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
68 words
An electrochemical fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cells, each of said fuel cells having a pair of manifold plates attached thereto, each of said manifold plates having at least one manifold opening formed therein for containing a fluid and having at least one channel formed therein for effecting fluid communication between said manifold opening and the fuel cell to which said manifold plate is attached.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
68 words
An electrochemical fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cells, each of said fuel cells having a pair of manifold plates attached thereto, each of said manifold plates having at least one manifold opening formed therein for containing a fluid and having at least one channel formed therein for effecting fluid communication between said manifold opening and the fuel cell to which said manifold plate is attached.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The fuel cell stack of claim 12 wherein each of said fuel cells is substantially rectangular in cross section and each of said pair of manifold plates is disposed on opposite sides of each of said fuel cells.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fuel cell stack of claim 13 wherein each of said fuel cells is substantially square in cross section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The fuel cell stack of claim 12 wherein each of said manifold plates has a tube mounted within each of said at least one channel, said tube extending from said manifold plate into the fuel cell to which said manifold plate is attached.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The fuel cell stack of claim 15 wherein said tube is metallic.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The fuel cell stack of claim 12 wherein said at least one channel comprises a plurality of spaced channels for effecting fluid communication between said manifold opening and the fuel cell to which said manifold plate is attached.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fuel cell stack of claim 17 wherein said channels extend through said manifold plate substantially in parallel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fuel cell stack of claim 18 wherein said at least one manifold opening is formed such that said channels extend through said manifold plate substantially the same distance.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
58 words
The fuel cell stack of claim 12 wherein each of said manifold plates has a recessed portion formed in one surface thereof, said recessed portion substantially circumscribing said at least one manifold opening, and a notched portion extending from the oppositely facing surface thereof, whereby said notched portion extends into the recessed portion of the adjacent manifold plate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fuel cell stack of claim 20 further comprising a sealing gasket disposed within said recessed portion such that the notched portion of the adjacent manifold plate compresses said sealing gasket.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fuel cell stack of claim 12 wherein said manifold plates are formed from an electrically insulating material.
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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) | 1999-05-07 | 1999-11-06 | 2000-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-05-07 | 2003-11-06 | 2004-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-05-07 | 2007-11-06 | 2008-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |