H01M8/2404

Fuel Cell and Method of Forming the Same
20230231168 · 2023-07-20 ·

In an embodiment, a fuel cell includes: a flexible substrate including a first fuel-tolerant material; a fitting on the flexible substrate, the fitting including first openings extending through an outer portion of the fitting; a primer coating on the outer portion of the fitting, the primer coating including a second fuel-tolerant material; first yarns strung through the first openings of the fitting, the first yarns stitched into the flexible substrate; and an encapsulant encapsulating the first yarns, the primer coating, and the outer portion of the fitting, the encapsulant disposed on the flexible substrate, the encapsulant including a third fuel-tolerant material, the third fuel-tolerant material chemically bonded to the second fuel-tolerant material and the first fuel-tolerant material.

Fuel cell vehicle
11701974 · 2023-07-18 · ·

A fuel cell vehicle is provided and includes a system frame on which a fuel cell is mounted and first and second side members extending in a first direction and facing each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction. A first fastening part fastens the system frame to each of the first and second side members. The system frame includes a first aperture formed therein in a horizontal direction. The first fastening part includes a first support bracket, including a second aperture, a first insertion hole, and a first tab portion extending from the first insertion hole in the horizontal direction, and a first bolt, including a first shank portion inserted into the first aperture, the second aperture, and the first insertion hole in the horizontal direction and a first threaded portion engaged with the first tab portion.

Device and method for producing flow field plates
11695124 · 2023-07-04 · ·

A method and a device for producing bipolar plates for fuel cells. A bipolar plate is formed by joining an anode plate to a cathode plate, wherein the anode plate and the cathode plate are formed by forming a substrate plate. In order to provide a cost-effective and automated method, it is proposed that a plate already provided with a reactive coating or catalyst coating, which is transported, automatically driven, via a transport device from the forming device to the joining device, is used as substrate plate.

Device and method for producing flow field plates
11695124 · 2023-07-04 · ·

A method and a device for producing bipolar plates for fuel cells. A bipolar plate is formed by joining an anode plate to a cathode plate, wherein the anode plate and the cathode plate are formed by forming a substrate plate. In order to provide a cost-effective and automated method, it is proposed that a plate already provided with a reactive coating or catalyst coating, which is transported, automatically driven, via a transport device from the forming device to the joining device, is used as substrate plate.

FASTENERLESS FUEL CELL STACK ENCLOSURE
20220399562 · 2022-12-15 ·

The present disclosure generally relates to a fuel cell stack enclosure adapted to enclose a fuel cell stack The fuel cell stack enclosure includes an upper cover, a lower cover, and one or more clamping means. The upper cover encloses an upper section of the fuel cell stack and the lower cover encloses a lower section of the fuel cell stack.

FASTENERLESS FUEL CELL STACK ENCLOSURE
20220399562 · 2022-12-15 ·

The present disclosure generally relates to a fuel cell stack enclosure adapted to enclose a fuel cell stack The fuel cell stack enclosure includes an upper cover, a lower cover, and one or more clamping means. The upper cover encloses an upper section of the fuel cell stack and the lower cover encloses a lower section of the fuel cell stack.

METAL-SUPPORTED CELL UNIT

A metal-supported, planar cell arrangement (200) comprising at least one pair of cells (110a, 110b), each cell (110a, 110b) comprising a metal substrate (120a, 120b) having first and second sides and a porous region (124) providing fluid communication between the sides, planar cell chemistry layers (111, 112, 113) comprising fuel electrode, electrolyte, and air electrode layers being coated or deposited over, and supported by, the porous region (124) on the first side, wherein the metal substrates (120) are in a stacked arrangement with their cell chemistry layers (111, 112, 113) overlying each other such that either both their first sides, or, both their second sides face inwardly in a spaced, opposed relationship, the inwardly facing sides thereby defining a common first fluid volume (140) between them for one of fuel or oxidant.

METAL-SUPPORTED CELL UNIT

A metal-supported, planar cell arrangement (200) comprising at least one pair of cells (110a, 110b), each cell (110a, 110b) comprising a metal substrate (120a, 120b) having first and second sides and a porous region (124) providing fluid communication between the sides, planar cell chemistry layers (111, 112, 113) comprising fuel electrode, electrolyte, and air electrode layers being coated or deposited over, and supported by, the porous region (124) on the first side, wherein the metal substrates (120) are in a stacked arrangement with their cell chemistry layers (111, 112, 113) overlying each other such that either both their first sides, or, both their second sides face inwardly in a spaced, opposed relationship, the inwardly facing sides thereby defining a common first fluid volume (140) between them for one of fuel or oxidant.

Alignment apparatus and methods of alignment

An alignment dowel comprises a body extending along a longitudinal axis, the body comprising a plurality of resilient vanes that extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and an actuator portion. The stack has openings of a predetermined diameter. The vanes are arranged around the longitudinal axis so as to extend along the axis and project radially outwards to define an outer diameter of the body. The actuator portion is operable to move the vanes between a collapsed configuration in which the outer diameter is smaller than the predetermined diameter, and an expanded configuration in which the outer diameter of the body is greater than in the collapsed configuration. A stack assembly jig, comprises a tool base on which a stack of components can be positioned. The tool base has guide holes that are no smaller than the predetermined diameter and are positioned to correspond to the position of the openings in the stack. A base plate carries an array of alignment dowels arranged to correspond to the positions of the guide holes. The base plate is moveable relative to the tool base such that the alignment dowels can project through the guide holes and into the component openings. The actuators are operable to align the components in the stack. A method for aligning components of a cell stack using an alignment dowel, comprises arranging cells adjacent one another in a stack, wherein the cells have internal alignment features, wherein each alignment feature includes an engaging surface with which the alignment dowel is configured to engage and disengage when located within said alignment feature; and locating the alignment dowel in the alignment features in the collapsed configuration and operating the actuator to move the alignment dowel to the expanded configuration to align the cells.

FUEL CELL AND FUEL CELL STACK

Disclosed are fuel cells including a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), a separator stacked on a surface of the membrane electrode assembly, a beading portion protruding from a first surface of the separator that faces the membrane electrode assembly, and a sealing member disposed between the membrane electrode assembly and the beading portion and being configured to seal a portion between the membrane electrode assembly and the separator, thereby ensuring rigidity and improving safety and reliability of the fuel cell.