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Integrally molded gasket for a fuel cell assembly

a fuel cell and gasket technology, applied in the field of fuel cells, can solve problems such as and achieve the effect of damage to the mea

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-01-04
FREUDENBERG NOK GEN PARTNERSHIP
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with a seal that prevents damage during manufacturing. The seal is formed at the outer edge of the MEA and is made of a low density region and a high density region. The high density region prevents the seal from entering the inboard region of the MEA. The invention also provides a method for manufacturing the fuel cell membrane electrode assembly with the ion exchange membrane affixed between the gas diffusion layers. The method involves compressing the gas diffusion layers at the high density regions to increase their density, and then injecting a liquid elastomer to form the seal at the low density region. The technical effects of the invention include improved durability and reliability of the fuel cell membrane electrode assembly.

Problems solved by technology

The high density region prevents portions of the seal from entering the inboard region during the manufacturing process, thereby damaging the MEA.

Method used

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  • Integrally molded gasket for a fuel cell assembly
  • Integrally molded gasket for a fuel cell assembly
  • Integrally molded gasket for a fuel cell assembly

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0021] The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0022] A fuel cell assembly according to the teachings of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 at reference numeral 10. The fuel cell 10 generally comprises a first support plate 12, a second support plate 14, and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 16 disposed between the first and second support plates 12 and 14. The plates 12 and 14 are mounted to opposite sides of the MEA 16.

[0023] The support plates 12 and 14 are substantially similar. Therefore, like reference numbers are used to designate features of the plates 12 and 14 that are similar or the same. When it is necessary to distinguish between the first and second plates 12 and 14, such as in the figures, the letter “a” is used to designate features of the first support plate 12 and the letter “b” is used to designate features of the second support p...

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Abstract

A fuel cell membrane electrode assembly (MEA) comprising first and second gas diffusion layers and an ion exchange membrane disposed between the diffusion layers. Each diffusion layer includes an inner surface facing the membrane, an outer surface opposite the inner surface, and a side surface defining a perimeter of the diffusion layers. An outboard region extends about the diffusion layers at the perimeter. The outboard region surrounds an inboard region. The outboard region has a low density region proximate to the side surface and a high density region between the low density region and the inboard portion. A seal is mounted at the low density region. The high density region prevents portions of the seal from entering the inboard region thereby damaging the MEA. The seal includes a first rim having a smaller radius than a second rim. The smaller radius allows the seal to fit between adjacent support plates and increases the durability of the seal.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention generally relates to fuel cells. More particularly, the present invention relates to an integrally molded gasket seal for a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Electrochemical fuel cells facilitate chemical reactions between hydrogen and oxygen to generate electrical current. The chemical reactions take place in one or more membrane electrode assemblies (“MEA”). Each MEA typically includes an ion exchange membrane disposed between two electrodes, which are also referred to as gas diffusion layers. Between each electrode and the membrane is a catalyst, the location of which defines an electrochemically active area of the MEA. [0003] One electrode functions as a cathode and the other electrode functions as an anode. Typically, hydrogen is supplied to the anode and oxygen is supplied to the cathode. The hydrogen and oxygen are directed to the electrodes in separate manifolds. [0004] The membrane a...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): H01M4/94H01M2/08
CPCH01M8/0273H01M8/0276H01M8/0284H01M4/88H01M8/1004H01M2008/1095Y02E60/521H01M8/0286Y02E60/50H01M8/0271
Inventor BELCHUK, MARK
Owner FREUDENBERG NOK GEN PARTNERSHIP
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