초록 ▼

Improved fuel cell stacks constructed from a plurality of cells, each comprising a series of interrelated mono and bipolar collector plates (BSPs), which in turn are built up by lamination of a core of related non-conductiveplastic orceramic platelets sandwiched between conductive microscreen platel

Improved fuel cell stacks constructed from a plurality of cells, each comprising a series of interrelated mono and bipolar collector plates (BSPs), which in turn are built up by lamination of a core of related non-conductiveplastic orceramic platelets sandwiched between conductive microscreen platelets of metal or conductive ceramic or plastic, with an electrode membrane (EMA) between adjacent BSPs. The platelets, both metal and plastic of the composite BSPs, are produced from sheet material with through and depth features formed by etching, pressing, stamping, casting, embossing and the like. Adjacent plates, each with correspondingly relieved features form serpentine channels within the resultant monolithic platelet/cell stack for integrated fluid and thermal management. The plastic platelets are particularly useful for PEM fuel cells employing H.sub.2 and Air/O.sub.2 as fuel. The platelets are easily made by printing (embossing) processes, and dies made by photolithographic etching for rapid redesign. Each BSP can be individually tailored to each type of membrane, fuel, and intra-cell location within the stack. As materials are cheap and easy to manufacture and assemble, lightweight fuel cells of very high power density are realizable. Industrial applicability includes both stationary and vehicular power supplies, in both micro and macro sizes.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A polar fidel cell separator assembly for a PEM fluid reactant fuel cell not having a graphite stencil layer comprising in operative combination:a) at least one core platelet of thin sheet selected from a ceramic or plastic material having a first side and a second side,b) at least

[ We claim:] [1.] A polar fidel cell separator assembly for a PEM fluid reactant fuel cell not having a graphite stencil layer comprising in operative combination:a) at least one core platelet of thin sheet selected from a ceramic or plastic material having a first side and a second side,b) at least one side of each platelet having integrated fluid distribution features permanently formed therein, said features being selected from at least one of fields, close-outs, splitters; via bases, lands, tabs, metering orifices, channels, vias, mixers, filters, Coanda-effect circuits, diverters, and manifolds;c) said features are interrelated and coordinate from platelet to platelet to provide in combination at least one permanent continuous microchannel fluid reactant flow field area; andd) said core platelet is bonded to selected ones of a current collector platelet to form a unipolar terminal current collector, to another core platelet, or to at least one other core platelet and at least one current collector to form a monolithic bipolar separator, for association with an electrode membrane assembly to form a fel cell stack, said bonded platelets integrated in the same plane as an active field, and/or in a plane parallel thereto, with either a humidification and/or cooling field in the same separator assembly.