公开(公告)号：US09225033B2

公开(公告)日：2015-12-29

申请号：US13899665

申请日：2013-05-22

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： David A. Martinchek ,  David A. Southwick

IPC: H01M8/04 ,  H01M8/24

CPC classification number: H01M8/248 ,  H01M8/24 ,  H01M8/2483 ,  Y02E60/50

Abstract: A fuel cell system having compression retention features that functions dually to provide compression retention and to provide structural sealing and vehicle mounting capability, eliminating the bulk of an additional structural enclosure while retaining the balance of plant simplicity associated with the use of structural enclosures. The fuel cell system has fuel cells disposed between a dry end unit plate and a wet end unit plate and a compression retention system with a pair of opposing end caps and a pair of opposing side panels such that wet end unit plate is fixedly secured to the opposing end caps and the dry end unit plate is adjustably secured to the opposing end caps. Methods for eliminating the effect of stack height variance and balance of plant tolerances on fuel cell system installation are also provided.

Abstract translation: 具有压缩保持特征的燃料电池系统具有双重作用以提供压缩保持性并提供结构密封和车辆安装能力，消除了附加结构外壳的体积，同时保持了与使用结构外壳相关的工厂简单性。 燃料电池系统具有设置在干端单元板和湿端单元板之间的燃料电池和具有一对相对端盖和一对相对侧板的压缩保持系统，使得湿端单元板固定地固定到 相对的端盖和干端单元板可调节地固定到相对的端盖。 还提供了消除堆高度变化和设备公差平衡对燃料电池系统安装的影响的方法。

公开(公告)号：US20140272662A1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-18

申请号：US13803098

申请日：2013-03-14

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Jeffrey A. Rock ,  David A. Martinchek

IPC: H01M2/10

CPC classification number: H01M2/1072 ,  H01M8/2475 ,  H01M2250/20 ,  Y02T90/32

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the relative movement between adjacent fuel cells within a fuel cell stack includes an improved strategy for distributing an acceleration load over a fuel cell stack while maintaining stack performance after exposure to high acceleration loads. The system comprises a fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cells enclosed by a housing. A curable material occupies at least a portion of a lateral space located between the edges of each fuel cell in the stack and an interior wall of the housing. Upon occurrence of high acceleration loads within the housing, the curable material transmits the acceleration load from the housing to more evenly distribute the load to the edges of the fuel cells. A plurality of dams may be secured between the housing and the fuel cell stack forming channels for receiving the curable material.

Abstract translation: 用于减少燃料电池堆内的相邻燃料电池之间的相对运动的系统和方法包括用于在暴露于高加速度负载之后保持堆叠性能的同时在燃料电池堆上分配加速负载的改进策略。 该系统包括燃料电池堆，其包括由壳体包围的多个燃料电池。 可固化材料占据位于堆叠中的每个燃料电池的边缘和壳体的内壁之间的侧向空间的至少一部分。 当在壳体内发生高加速度负载时，可固化材料将来自壳体的加速载荷传递到更均匀地将负载分配到燃料电池的边缘。 多个堤坝可以固定在壳体和用于接收可固化材料的燃料电池堆形成通道之间。

公开(公告)号：US09634340B2

公开(公告)日：2017-04-25

申请号：US13653769

申请日：2012-10-17

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： David A. Martinchek ,  Ian R. Jermy ,  Jeffrey M. Guzda

IPC: H01M8/04 ,  H01M8/04291 ,  H01M8/04119 ,  H01M8/1018

CPC classification number: H01M8/04291 ,  H01M8/04141 ,  H01M8/04149 ,  H01M2008/1095 ,  Y02E60/50

Abstract: A water vapor transfer unit having fluid flow conduits which distribute wet or dry fluid throughout the water vapor transfer unit, which are created by forming apertures in each wet and dry plate so that when the plates are stacked, fluid flow inlet and outlet headers are integrated into the flow stack. These integrated headers negate the need for traditional wet and dry fluid inlet and outlet manifolds external to the water vapor transfer unit stack. Because the plates are stacked and sealed so that the fluid flows cannot co-mingle, the fluids are introduced directly into the stack, flow across the flow fields, and exit the stack without leakage or flow contamination. The integrated header design allows for sealing the stack on no more than a single plane defined by the stack or on no more than two parallel opposing planes and allows for accommodation of stack expansion and contraction.

公开(公告)号：US20160285124A1

公开(公告)日：2016-09-29

申请号：US14670508

申请日：2015-03-27

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： David A. Martinchek ,  Robert C. Thompson

IPC: H01M8/24

CPC classification number: H01M8/2475 ,  H01M8/2404

Abstract: A system and method for aligning and reducing the relative movement between adjacent fuel cells within a fuel cell stack. The inter-cell cooperation between fuel cells along a stacking dimension is enhanced by one or more datum placed along the edge of a bipolar plate that makes up a part of a cell-containing assembly. The datum is shaped along a thickness that substantially coincides with the cell stacking dimension to avoid shifting between adjacently-stacked cells that may otherwise arise out of the occurrence of a significant acceleration along the dimension that defines the major surfaces of the plates, cells and their respective assemblies. By having the datum be integrally formed with numerous stacked cells, the need to affix individual tabs each plate is avoided.

Abstract translation: 用于对准和减少燃料电池堆内的相邻燃料电池之间的相对运动的系统和方法。 沿堆叠尺寸的燃料电池之间的电池间协作通过沿构成含电池组件的一部分的双极板的边缘放置的一个或多个基准来增强。 基准面沿着基本上与电池堆叠尺寸重合的厚度成形，以避免相邻堆叠的电池之间的移动，否则可能出现沿着限定板，电池及其主要表面的尺寸的显着加速度的出现 各自的组件。 通过使数据与多个堆叠的单元一体地形成，避免了将每个板固定在每个板上的需要。

公开(公告)号：US20160072145A1

公开(公告)日：2016-03-10

申请号：US14482000

申请日：2014-09-10

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： David A. Martinchek ,  Robert C. Thompson ,  Martin Heinzmann

IPC: H01M8/24

CPC classification number: H01M8/247 ,  H01M8/0247 ,  H01M8/0263 ,  H01M8/0271 ,  H01M8/2475 ,  H01M2008/1095 ,  H01M2250/20 ,  Y02E60/50 ,  Y02T90/32

Abstract: A system and method for aligning and reducing the relative movement between adjacent fuel cells within a fuel cell stack. The inter-cell cooperation between fuel cells along a stacking dimension is enhanced by one or more datum placed along the edge of a bipolar plate that makes up a part of a cell-containing assembly. The datum is shaped along a thickness dimension that substantially coincides with the cell stacking dimension to promote a nested fit with a comparable datum on an adjacently-stacked bipolar plate. This nesting facilitates an interference fit that enhances the resistance to sliding movement between respective cells that may otherwise arise out of the occurrence of a significant acceleration along the dimension that defines the major surfaces of the plates, cells and their respective assemblies. In one form, the use of welding, bonding or related attachment of the datum to the plate promotes enhanced metallic support without the need for increasing the plate footprint and without having to overmold the datum directly onto the plate.

Abstract translation: 用于对准和减少燃料电池堆内的相邻燃料电池之间的相对运动的系统和方法。 沿堆叠尺寸的燃料电池之间的电池间协作通过沿构成含电池组件的一部分的双极板的边缘放置的一个或多个基准来增强。 基准面沿着与电池堆叠尺寸基本一致的厚度尺寸成形，以促进在相邻堆叠的双极板上具有可比较的基准的嵌套配合。 该嵌套有利于干涉配合，其增强了抵抗各个单元之间的滑动运动的阻力，否则可能出现沿着限定板，单元及其相应组件的主表面的尺寸的显着加速度的出现。 在一种形式中，将基准焊接，粘合或相关连接到板上的使用促进了增强的金属支撑，而不需要增加板足迹，而不必将基准直接覆盖在板上。

公开(公告)号：US09997800B2

公开(公告)日：2018-06-12

申请号：US14326813

申请日：2014-07-09

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC ,  Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Inventor： David A. Martinchek ,  Robert C. Thompson ,  Masaaki Sakano ,  Hiroyuki Tanaka

IPC: H01M8/24 ,  H01M8/2475 ,  H01M8/248 ,  H01M8/2404

CPC classification number: H01M8/2475 ,  H01M8/2404 ,  H01M8/248

Abstract: A fuel cell stack and a method of assembling a fuel cell stack includes compressing fuel cells along their stacking axis. A compression retention device made up of an enclosure may be used with one or more optional insertable shims to correct for any stack height variations. Significantly, the enclosure is formed to allow the stack to be loaded in compression by a press such that the cells that make up the stack are placed into and maintained in a substantially compressed state while the compression force is not imparted to the enclosure. By resolving any stack height variances while the cells of the stack are maintained in their substantially compressed state, assembly operations are simplified in that repeated compression and decompression of the stack is avoided while trying to ensure that the stack and enclosure are joined into their final assembly form.

公开(公告)号：US09728790B2

公开(公告)日：2017-08-08

申请号：US14049960

申请日：2013-10-09

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： David A. Martinchek ,  David A. Southwick

IPC: H01M8/0267 ,  B60L11/18 ,  H01M8/0258 ,  H01M8/2484

CPC classification number: H01M8/0267 ,  B60L11/1883 ,  B60L11/1887 ,  B60L11/1892 ,  B60L11/1898 ,  H01M8/0258 ,  H01M8/2465 ,  H01M8/2483 ,  H01M8/2484 ,  H01M2250/20 ,  Y02T90/32 ,  Y02T90/34

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosing providing for a fuel cell (“FC”) stack assembly utilizing bus bars that accommodate for variations in FC stack heights during assembly. In some embodiments, bus bars consistent with embodiments disclosed herein may be integrally formed with terminal plates out of a single piece of conductive material. Further embodiments of the bus bars disclosed herein may include structures configured to facilitating cooling of the bus bars during operation of the FC system.

公开(公告)号：US09627705B2

公开(公告)日：2017-04-18

申请号：US14670508

申请日：2015-03-27

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： David A. Martinchek ,  Robert C. Thompson

IPC: H01M8/24 ,  H01M8/2475 ,  H01M8/2404

CPC classification number: H01M8/2475 ,  H01M8/2404

Abstract: A system and method for aligning and reducing the relative movement between adjacent fuel cells within a fuel cell stack. The inter-cell cooperation between fuel cells along a stacking dimension is enhanced by one or more datum placed along the edge of a bipolar plate that makes up a part of a cell-containing assembly. The datum is shaped along a thickness that substantially coincides with the cell stacking dimension to avoid shifting between adjacently-stacked cells that may otherwise arise out of the occurrence of a significant acceleration along the dimension that defines the major surfaces of the plates, cells and their respective assemblies. By having the datum be integrally formed with numerous stacked cells, the need to affix individual tabs each plate is avoided.

公开(公告)号：US10396370B2

公开(公告)日：2019-08-27

申请号：US15602517

申请日：2017-05-23

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： David A. Martinchek ,  Robert C. Thompson

IPC: H01M8/04119 ,  H01M8/1018

Abstract: A passive tortuous path drain for a directing fluid flow from an enclosure includes a drain body having a front face and a back face. The front face defines a curved trenched channel having a first curved channel end and a second curved channel end. The front face also defines a second trenched channel. The drain body defines at least one egress opening in fluid communication with the second trenched channel. The first curved channel end and a second curved channel end are in fluid communication with the second trenched channel. Characteristically, the drain is adapted to be positioned adjacent to a drain opening in an enclosure such that liquid flows from the drain opening to the curved trenched channel and then to the second trenched channel exiting through the egress opening.

公开(公告)号：US10297802B2

公开(公告)日：2019-05-21

申请号：US14018678

申请日：2013-09-05

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： David A. Martinchek

IPC: H01M8/24 ,  H01M2/10 ,  B21C23/02 ,  H01M8/0206 ,  H01M8/0223 ,  H01M8/0273 ,  B21C23/14

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for improving and/or simplifying one or more seals in a fuel cell stack, such as a vehicle fuel cell stack. In some implementations, a plate or assembly for the stack may be extruded through an extrusion die so as to create a plate comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of cavities disposed between the top and bottom surfaces. At least a subset of the cavities may be filled with a cavity-filler material distinct from a material used to form the plate, such as a foam material. One or more headers, such as grommet seals, may then be overmolded into the plate to form corresponding conduits between the top surface and the bottom surface of the plate/assembly.