Cartridge and method for handling thin film membranes

a technology of thin film membrane and carrier, which is applied in the direction of transportation and packaging, cameras, instruments, etc., can solve the problems of affecting so as to achieve the effect of improving the quality of thin film materials and reducing the cost of production

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-02-02
PEMEAS
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is related to a cartridge for handling thin film membranes. The cartridge includes a frame with two cavities, one for holding the membrane and another for depositing it. The membrane can be extracted from the first cavity and positioned beneath the cover of the cartridge for handling. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a convenient and efficient way to handle thin film membranes in a controlled environment."

Problems solved by technology

One field in which the handling of thin film-like materials is often problematic is the field of fuel cells, for example, during the handling and assembly of electrodes mounted on thin-film gaskets found in Membrane Electrode Assemblies (or MEAs).
The handling of the components of the MEA, for example, the thin gaskets, the thin electrodes, and the thin membrane is typically hampered by the flexibility and fragility that characterizes these thin materials.
However, the transport and registration (that is, alignment) of multiple layers of thin film materials presents a particularly difficult challenge for prior art fabrication methods.
However, the prior art methods and devices for providing membranes, for example, providing membranes to an automated system as disclosed in these applications, limit the effectiveness and ease with which membranes, for example, can be introduced to an automated system.
This extraction of the membrane from the bag is typically cumbersome and detracts from the desire to automate the handling and assembly of, among other things, MEAs.

Method used

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  • Cartridge and method for handling thin film membranes
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  • Cartridge and method for handling thin film membranes

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Embodiment Construction

[0050] The details and scope of the aspects of the present invention can best be understood upon review of the attached figures and their following descriptions.

[0051]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cartridge assembly 10 for handling a thin film membrane 12 according to one aspect of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of cartridge assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of cartridge assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the cartridge assembly 10 shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 with the cover removed. As shown in these figures, cartridge assembly 10 includes a base or frame 14 and a cover 16. According to this aspect of the invention, base or frame 14 includes a first cavity 18 at a first end 20 and a second cavity 22 at a second end 24. First cavity 18 and second cavity 22 are adapted to receive spools 26 and 28 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). Spools 26 and 28 are adapted to have a thin-film membrane wound around them, for ...

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Abstract

A cartridge and a method for handling thin film membranes using a cartridge are disclosed. The cartridge may be used to handle any thin-film material, but is particularly useful in handling the thin membrane materials used in fabricating Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEA) for fuel cells. In one aspect, the cartridge includes cavities positioned at opposite ends of a frame. The cavities and associated mounting arrangements are adapted to accept spools for dispensing membrane material and drawing it across the frame. The cartridge also includes a removable cover having an aperture through which the membrane material may be accessed and, for example, cut to a desired shape. Aspects also include methods and apparatus for advancing the membrane in the cartridge. Aspects of the present invention provide improved methods and devices that facilitate the handling and assembly of thin film membranes into membrane-containing devices, such as, fuel cells.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application contains subject matter that is related to the subject matter of the following applications, each of which is assigned to the same assignee as this application. Each of the below listed applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety: [0002] U.S. patent application Ser. 10 / 232,424 filed on 30 Aug. 2002, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING THIN FILMS FROM A SOURCE POSITION TO A TARGET POSITION”, and published as U.S. application US 20040042789 A1 on 4 Mar. 2004 (Attrny. Ref. 2036.001); and [0003] PCT application PCT / EP2003 / 00920 filed on 20 Aug. 2003, entitled “FIXTURES AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING THE FABRICATION OF DEVICES HAVING THIN FILM MATERIALS,” and published as PCT publication WO 2004 / 021489 A2 on 11 Mar. 2004 (Attrny. Ref. 2036.002).TECHNICAL FIELD [0004] This invention relates generally to methods and devices used for handling thin films, for example, thin-film membranes. Specific...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityApplications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B65H18/08
CPCB65H16/06B65H18/103Y10T156/11G03B17/30B65H35/04
InventorPUFFER, RAYMOND H. JR.
OwnerPEMEAS