Abstract:
An electrically conductive fluid distribution plate (30) is provided. The plate body (120) defines a set of fluid flow channels (106, 108, 110, 112) configured to distribute flow of a fluid across at least one side of the plate. A coating is adhered to said plate. The coating comprises graphite, carbon black, and a binder and includes less than about 10% by weight, total carbon.
Abstract:
An electrically conductive fluid distribution element (100) for a fuel cell which comprises an electrically conductive substrate (102), a flow field (106) for distributing fluid along a surface of the substrate (102), and an electrically conductive coating (94) on the surface which comprises a noble metal, desirably Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Ir, Pt, Os, and preferably Au.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an electrically conductive element for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell having low electrical contact resistance and high corrosion resistance. The conductive element comprises a corrosion susceptible metal substrate with a surface, which is preferably treated to activate the surface (i.e. to remove a passivation layer of oxides from the surface) with an acidic treatment solution. The treated surface is then overlaid with an electrically conductive, corrosion-resistant, protective coating to protect the substrate re-forming a passivation layer while exposed to the corrosive environment of the fuel cell. The present invention also provides methods of preparing an electrically conductive element to have low electrical contact resistance and high corrosion resistance.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a separator plate in an electrochemical cell having a body with an electrically conductive first section having fluid flow fields with a plurality of flow channels formed therein and a second section adjacent to the first section that has a header area defining a manifold that supplies fluids to the flow fields of each fuel cell. The second section is non-conductive to prevent possible electrical interaction with any aqueous fluids of finite ionic conductivity present in the fuel cell, which may result in inefficient fuel cell operations. Further, the present invention contemplates methods to form such a separator plate.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an electrically conductive element (e.g. bipolar plate) (56) for a fuel cell which has an improved adhesive bond. The conductive element generally comprises a first and a second conductive sheet (58, 60) each having a surface that confront one another. The surfaces that confront one another are overlaid with an electrically conductive primer coating (110) providing corrosion protection and low contact resistance to said first and said second sheets respectively in regions where the first and second sheets contact one another. The first and said second coated surfaces are joined to one another by an electrically conductive adhesive (112) which provides adhesion of said first and said second coated surfaces of said sheets at the contact region. Further, the present invention contemplates methods to form such an improved bond in an electrically conductive element.
Abstract:
According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrically conductive fluid distribution plate is provided. The plate body defines a set of fluid flow channels configured to distribute flow of a fluid across at least one side of the plate. A coating is adhered to said plate. The coating comprises graphite, carbon black, and a binder and includes less than about 10% by weight, total carbon.
Abstract:
An electrically conductive fluid distribution plate (30) is provided. The plate body (120) defines a set of fluid flow channels (106, 108, 110, 112) configured to distribute flow of a fluid across at least one side of the plate. A coating is adhered to said plate. The coating comprises graphite, carbon black, and a binder and includes less than about 10% by weight, total carbon.
Abstract:
A composite separator plate (26, 32, 34) for use in a fuel cell stack (20) and method of manufacture is provided. The composite separator plate includes a plurality of elongated support members (104) oriented generally parallel to each other and a polymeric body portion (102) formed around the support members. The body portion includes a first surface with a plurality of flow channels and a second surface opposite the first surface. A plurality of electrically conductive fibers (178) are disposed within the polymeric body portion, each fiber extending continuously from the first surface of the polymeric body portion to the second surface of the polymeric body portion in a through plane configuration.
Abstract:
In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides an electrically conductive fluid distribution plate and a method of making, and system for using, the electrically conductive fluid distribution plate. In at least one embodiment, the plate comprises an electrically conductive fluid distribution plate comprising a metallic plate body defining a set of fluid flow channels configured to distribute flow of a fluid across at least one side of the plate, a metal-containing adhesion promoting layer having a thickness less than 100 nm disposed on the plate body, and a composite polymeric conductive layer disposed on the metal- containing adhesion promoting layer.
Abstract:
In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides an electrically conductive fluid distribution plate and a method of making, and system for using, the electrically conductive fluid distribution plate. In at least one embodiment, the plate comprises an electrically conductive fluid distribution plate comprising a metallic plate body defining a set of fluid flow channels configured to distribute flow of a fluid across at least one side of the plate, a metal-containing adhesion promoting layer having a thickness less than 100 nm disposed on the plate body, and a composite polymeric conductive layer disposed on the metal- containing adhesion promoting layer.