US5863672A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell
Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Angewandten Forschung eV
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Filing: 1995-12-05
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Granted: 1999-01-26
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Expires: 2015-12-05
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a PEM fuel cell comprising at least one strip meane (8) which itself comprises at least 2, and a maximum of 10,000-surfaced individual cells each comprising an electrode layer (10-12, 13-15) applied on both sides of a membrane made of a polymeric solid electrolyte, the individual cells being incorporated in series and being made of plates (21, 22) of non-conductive material, which serve as heat exchangers and as fuel gas supply device, which are contacted on both sides on the strip membrane (8, 16) and separate outwardly-directed conductive structures (23, 24) for voltage derivation.
Inventors
- 👤 Konstantin Ledjeff
- 👤 Roland Nolte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:13
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/04; H01M8/04007; H01M8/04067; H01M8/04074; H01M8/02; H01M8/0202; H01M8/0267; H01M8/24; H01M8/241; H01M8/2418; H01M8/242; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0017; H01M2300/0065; H01M2300/0082; H01M8/249; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A PEM fuel cell, comprising: (a) at least one strip membrane with at least two individual cells, each individual cell having a polymeric solid electrolyte membrane with a first and a second surface, a first electrode coating disposed on the first surface and a second electrode coating disposed on the second surface, the individual cells being connected in series; (b) heat exchange and fuel gas feed plates being disposed on each side of the at least one strip membrane and supplying the electrode coatings of the individual cells with fuel, the heat exchange and fuel gas feed plates being made of non-conductive material or possessing non-conductive surfaces; and (c) conductive structures contacting the at least one strip membrane, at least two conductive structures being outwardly-directed with respect to the PEM fuel cell for voltage and current tapping.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A PEM fuel cell, comprising: (a) at least one strip membrane with at least two individual cells, each individual cell having a polymeric solid electrolyte membrane with a first and a second surface, a first electrode coating disposed on the first surface and a second electrode coating disposed on the second surface, the individual cells being connected in series; (b) heat exchange and fuel gas feed plates being disposed on each side of the at least one strip membrane and supplying the electrode coatings of the individual cells with fuel, the heat exchange and fuel gas feed plates being made of non-conductive material or possessing non-conductive surfaces; and (c) conductive structures contacting the at least one strip membrane, at least two conductive structures being outwardly-directed with respect to the PEM fuel cell for voltage and current tapping.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The PEM fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein one strip membrane is provided and the heat exchange and fuel gas feed plates are arranged as end plates on each side of the strip membrane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The PEM fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein 2 to 2000 strip membranes are arranged in the form of a fuel cell stack, the strip membranes being electrically connected, the heat exchange and fuel gas feed plates serving both as intermediate plates between adjacent strip membranes and also as end plates for a first and a last strip membrane of the fuel cell stack.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
The PEM fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the at least one strip membrane further comprises at least partly electronically conductive structures disposed on the electrode coatings of the individual cells between the heat exchange and fuel gas feed plates and the electrode coatings, the at least partly electronically conductive structures minimizing electrical losses across the electrode coating of the individual cell without short-circuiting electrode coatings of neighboring individual cells.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The PEM fuel cell according to claim 4, wherein the at least partly electronically conductive structures disposed on the electrode coatings form overall structures comprising alternating non-conductive areas and fuel-permeable conductive areas, the conductive areas being disposed on the electrode coatings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The PEM fuel cell according to claim 5, wherein the overall structures and the conductive structures contacting the at least one strip membrane are one-piece structures.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The PEM fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchange and fuel gas feed plates have, on the side facing the strip membrane, fuel distributor structures.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The PEM fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchange and fuel gas feed plates include a porous material, the fuel supply being carried out through pores of the porous material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The PEM fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchange and fuel gas feed plates have ducts and/or cavities for the flow of a cooling medium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The PEM fuel cell according to claim 3, wherein central supply ducts, passing through the entire fuel cell stack, for the flow of a cooling medium are provided.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The PEM fuel cell according to claim 7, wherein a fuel supply for the fuel distributor structures is carried out through ducts and/or cavities and/or pore structures.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The PEM fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein gaskets are disposed between each heat exchange and fuel gas feed plate and each strip membrane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The PEM fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the individual cells are connected in series such that the first electrode coating of a individual cell is connected with the second electrode coating of another individual cell via an electronically conductive area.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The PEM fuel cell according to claim 13, wherein an insulated area is disposed between the individual cells and the electronically conductive areas.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The PEM fuel cell according to claim 4, wherein the at least partly electronically conductive structures and the conductive structures contacting the at least one strip membrane are one-piece structures.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The PEM fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the individual cells are connected in series in a stepped configuration such that the first electrode coating of a individual cell partially overlaps with the second electrode coating of another individual cell.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
162 words
A PEM fuel cell, comprising: (a) at least one strip membrane with at least two individual cells, each individual cell having a polymeric solid electrolyte membrane with a first and a second surface, a first electrode coating disposed on the first surface and a second electrode coating disposed on the second surface, the individual cells being connected in series in a stepped configuration such that the first electrode coating of one individual cell partially overlaps with the second electrode coating of another individual cell; (b) heat exchange and fuel gas feed plates being disposed on each side of the at least one strip membrane and supplying the electrode coatings of the individual cells with fuel, the heat exchange and fuel gas feed plates being made of non-conductive material or possessing nonconductive surfaces; and (c) conductive structures contacting the at least one strip membrane, at least two conductive structures being outwardly-directed with respect to the PEM fuel cell for voltage and current tapping.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
162 words
A PEM fuel cell, comprising: (a) at least one strip membrane with at least two individual cells, each individual cell having a polymeric solid electrolyte membrane with a first and a second surface, a first electrode coating disposed on the first surface and a second electrode coating disposed on the second surface, the individual cells being connected in series in a stepped configuration such that the first electrode coating of one individual cell partially overlaps with the second electrode coating of another individual cell; (b) heat exchange and fuel gas feed plates being disposed on each side of the at least one strip membrane and supplying the electrode coatings of the individual cells with fuel, the heat exchange and fuel gas feed plates being made of non-conductive material or possessing nonconductive surfaces; and (c) conductive structures contacting the at least one strip membrane, at least two conductive structures being outwardly-directed with respect to the PEM fuel cell for voltage and current tapping.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
149 words
A PEM fuel cell, comprising: (a) at least one strip membrane with at least two individual cells, each individual cell having a polymeric solid electrolyte membrane with a first and a second surface, a first electrode coating disposed on the first surface and a second electrode coating disposed on the second surface, the individual cells being connected in series; (b) heat exchange and fuel gas feed plates being disposed on each side of the at least one strip membrane, the heat exchange and fuel gas feed plates having fuel distributor structures to supply the electrode coatings of the individual cells with fuel, the heat exchange and fuel gas feed plates being made of non-conductive material or possessing non-conductive surfaces; and (c) conductive structures contacting the at least one strip membrane, at least two conductive structures being outwardly-directed with respect to the PEM fuel cell for voltage and current tapping.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
149 words
A PEM fuel cell, comprising: (a) at least one strip membrane with at least two individual cells, each individual cell having a polymeric solid electrolyte membrane with a first and a second surface, a first electrode coating disposed on the first surface and a second electrode coating disposed on the second surface, the individual cells being connected in series; (b) heat exchange and fuel gas feed plates being disposed on each side of the at least one strip membrane, the heat exchange and fuel gas feed plates having fuel distributor structures to supply the electrode coatings of the individual cells with fuel, the heat exchange and fuel gas feed plates being made of non-conductive material or possessing non-conductive surfaces; and (c) conductive structures contacting the at least one strip membrane, at least two conductive structures being outwardly-directed with respect to the PEM fuel cell for voltage and current tapping.
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) | 2002-01-25 | 2002-07-27 | 2003-01-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-25 | 2006-07-27 | 2007-01-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-25 | 2010-07-27 | 2011-01-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |