A method for producing a bipolar plate for a fuel cell having a membrane electrode assembly comprises providing a first fuel cell half-plate, which has a circumferential plate edge which has a first media channel offset inwardly from the plate edge and also a first flow field, providing a second fuel cell half-plate, which has a plate edge corresponding to the plate edge of the first fuel cell half-plate, and which has a second media channel offset inwardly from its plate edge and also a second flow field, the second media channel being aligned with the first media channel when the two fuel cell half-plates are stacked one above the other in perfect alignment, and joining the first fuel cell half-plate to the second fuel cell half-plate along a media-channel joint line framing the media channels, wherein a joint-line-free sealing region of the fuel cell half-plates borders the plate edges, on which a seal is fixed or is to be fixed, and the first fuel cell half-plate is joined to the second fuel cell half-plate along an additional frame joint line adjoining the media channel joint line or overlapping same, at least some sections of said additional frame joint line being offset along the plate edges in relation to the sealing region.

A method for producing a bipolar plate for a fuel cell having a membrane electrode assembly comprises providing a first fuel cell half-plate, which has a circumferential plate edge which has a first media channel offset inwardly from the plate edge and also a first flow field, providing a second fuel cell half-plate, which has a plate edge corresponding to the plate edge of the first fuel cell half-plate, and which has a second media channel offset inwardly from its plate edge and also a second flow field, the second media channel being aligned with the first media channel when the two fuel cell half-plates are stacked one above the other in perfect alignment, and joining the first fuel cell half-plate to the second fuel cell half-plate along a media-channel joint line framing the media channels, wherein a joint-line-free sealing region of the fuel cell half-plates borders the plate edges, on which a seal is fixed or is to be fixed, and the first fuel cell half-plate is joined to the second fuel cell half-plate along an additional frame joint line adjoining the media channel joint line or overlapping same, at least some sections of said additional frame joint line being offset along the plate edges in relation to the sealing region.

A fuel cell includes a flow guide, a component for allowing a first fluid to flow from a first manifold to a second manifold and through a reactive zone, a peripheral seal disposed between the flow guide and the component, an intermediate seal disposed between the flow guide and the component, the intermediate seal being encircled by the peripheral seal and encircling the reactive zone, another component opposite the flow guide to allow a second fluid to flow from a third manifold to a fourth manifold and through another reactive zone, and a fluid flow circuit provided between the intermediate seal and the peripheral seal between fifth and sixth manifolds. One of the fifth and sixth manifolds is separated from the first to fourth manifolds by the intermediate seal.

A fuel cell includes a flow guide, a component for allowing a first fluid to flow from a first manifold to a second manifold and through a reactive zone, a peripheral seal disposed between the flow guide and the component, an intermediate seal disposed between the flow guide and the component, the intermediate seal being encircled by the peripheral seal and encircling the reactive zone, another component opposite the flow guide to allow a second fluid to flow from a third manifold to a fourth manifold and through another reactive zone, and a fluid flow circuit provided between the intermediate seal and the peripheral seal between fifth and sixth manifolds. One of the fifth and sixth manifolds is separated from the first to fourth manifolds by the intermediate seal.

The invention relates to a stack of electrochemical cells (10A, 10B), divided up into at least two groups (A, B), each cell comprising a distribution circuit for a reactive species, and each group of cells comprising a separate supply collector (2A; 2B). At least one cell (10B) comprises a homogenization compartment (60B) comprising: a plurality of longitudinal conduits (61B) designed to receive the flow of the reactive species coming from the supply collector (2B) of the corresponding group and to distribute it over the inlet (51B) of the distribution circuit for the cell; and, a transverse conduit (62B) for homogenization connecting the longitudinal conduits (61B) to one another in a fluid sense.

The invention relates to a stack of electrochemical cells (10A, 10B), divided up into at least two groups (A, B), each cell comprising a distribution circuit for a reactive species, and each group of cells comprising a separate supply collector (2A; 2B). At least one cell (10B) comprises a homogenization compartment (60B) comprising: a plurality of longitudinal conduits (61B) designed to receive the flow of the reactive species coming from the supply collector (2B) of the corresponding group and to distribute it over the inlet (51B) of the distribution circuit for the cell; and, a transverse conduit (62B) for homogenization connecting the longitudinal conduits (61B) to one another in a fluid sense.

A cell stack device according to the present disclosure includes: a cell stack comprising a plurality of cells; and a manifold configured to supply reaction gas to the plurality of cells, wherein each of the plurality of cells includes: an element part comprising: a fuel electrode layer that is located on the fuel electrode layer; a solid electrolyte layer that is located on the fuel electrode layer; a middle layer that is located on the solid electrolyte layer; and an air electrode layer that is located on the middle layer, the middle layer including: a first middle layer bonded to the solid electrolyte layer; and a second middle layer bonded to the air electrode layer; and a non-element part of the cell that comprises the entire cell excluding the air electrode layer, the non-element part located at least at a first of both ends of the plurality of cells in a longitudinal direction, and the plurality of cells is fixed to the manifold at least at the first end by a sealing material located between the manifold and either the solid electrolyte layer or the first middle layer.

A cell stack device according to the present disclosure includes: a cell stack comprising a plurality of cells; and a manifold configured to supply reaction gas to the plurality of cells, wherein each of the plurality of cells includes: an element part comprising: a fuel electrode layer that is located on the fuel electrode layer; a solid electrolyte layer that is located on the fuel electrode layer; a middle layer that is located on the solid electrolyte layer; and an air electrode layer that is located on the middle layer, the middle layer including: a first middle layer bonded to the solid electrolyte layer; and a second middle layer bonded to the air electrode layer; and a non-element part of the cell that comprises the entire cell excluding the air electrode layer, the non-element part located at least at a first of both ends of the plurality of cells in a longitudinal direction, and the plurality of cells is fixed to the manifold at least at the first end by a sealing material located between the manifold and either the solid electrolyte layer or the first middle layer.

A method of making an alkaline membrane fuel cell assembly is disclosed. The method may include: depositing a first catalyst layer on a first gas diffusion layer to form a first gas diffusion electrode; depositing a second catalyst layer one a second gas diffusion layer to form a second gas diffusion electrode; depositing a thin membrane on at least one of: the first catalyst layer and the second catalyst layer; joining together the first and second gas diffusion electrodes to form the alkaline fuel cell assembly such that the thin membrane is located between the first and second catalyst layers; and sealing the first and second gas diffusion layers, the first and second catalyst layers and the thin membrane from all sides.

A method of making an alkaline membrane fuel cell assembly is disclosed. The method may include: depositing a first catalyst layer on a first gas diffusion layer to form a first gas diffusion electrode; depositing a second catalyst layer one a second gas diffusion layer to form a second gas diffusion electrode; depositing a thin membrane on at least one of: the first catalyst layer and the second catalyst layer; joining together the first and second gas diffusion electrodes to form the alkaline fuel cell assembly such that the thin membrane is located between the first and second catalyst layers; and sealing the first and second gas diffusion layers, the first and second catalyst layers and the thin membrane from all sides.