In an embodiment, a method of forming a cooling plate, comprises laser welding a plurality of weld lines to physically connect a first substrate and a second substrate wherein the plurality of weld lines forms an inflatable track; and inflating the inflatable track with an inflation fluid to form a cooling channel in the cooling plate. In another embodiment, the cooling plate can comprise a first substrate and a second substrate and a plurality of weld lines can form a fluid tight seal for a cooling channel located therebetween.

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.

A bipolar plate for use in a fuel cell stack includes a first delimiting surface and a second delimiting surface that is arranged parallel to the first delimiting surface, wherein the delimiting surfaces are arranged spaced apart from one another and define an intermediate space, wherein the bipolar plate includes at least one fuel cell section having a flow field that has depressions that protrude into the intermediate space and is provided so as to make direct contact with a fuel cell, and the bipolar plate includes at least one cooling section that extends therefrom along the delimiting surfaces, wherein at least one heat pipe is arranged in the intermediate space and extends so as to transfer heat from the fuel cell section into the cooling section.

A bipolar plate for use in a fuel cell stack includes a first delimiting surface and a second delimiting surface that is arranged parallel to the first delimiting surface, wherein the delimiting surfaces are arranged spaced apart from one another and define an intermediate space, wherein the bipolar plate includes at least one fuel cell section having a flow field that has depressions that protrude into the intermediate space and is provided so as to make direct contact with a fuel cell, and the bipolar plate includes at least one cooling section that extends therefrom along the delimiting surfaces, wherein at least one heat pipe is arranged in the intermediate space and extends so as to transfer heat from the fuel cell section into the cooling section.

A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a circuit, a pump, a pressure regulating valve, and a control apparatus. The fuel cell includes a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies and a separator. The separator has a gas channel and a coolant channel. The circuit is coupled to the coolant channel and allows a coolant to circulate therethrough. The pump delivers the coolant toward the coolant channel. The pressure regulating valve adjusts a pressure of the coolant in the coolant channel. The control apparatus controls a flow rate of the coolant in the coolant channel by controlling a rotational speed of the pump on the basis of a temperature of the fuel cell, and controls the pressure of the coolant in the coolant channel by controlling a position of the pressure regulating valve on the basis of a pressure of gas in the gas channel.

A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a circuit, a pump, a pressure regulating valve, and a control apparatus. The fuel cell includes a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies and a separator. The separator has a gas channel and a coolant channel. The circuit is coupled to the coolant channel and allows a coolant to circulate therethrough. The pump delivers the coolant toward the coolant channel. The pressure regulating valve adjusts a pressure of the coolant in the coolant channel. The control apparatus controls a flow rate of the coolant in the coolant channel by controlling a rotational speed of the pump on the basis of a temperature of the fuel cell, and controls the pressure of the coolant in the coolant channel by controlling a position of the pressure regulating valve on the basis of a pressure of gas in the gas channel.

The present disclosure relates to the field of fuel cells. The present disclosure relates to a fuel cell component, comprising a plate body, with the following provided on the plate body: an anode gas flow path leading from an anode inlet to an anode outlet; a cathode gas flow path leading from a cathode inlet to a cathode outlet; and a coolant flow path leading from a coolant inlet to a coolant outlet, the coolant flow path being configured such that coolant is partially diverted from the coolant inlet to a designated region of the plate body and mixes with an undiverted portion in the designated region, in order to enhance cooling capacity in the designated region by means of the mixed coolant. The present disclosure also relates to a fuel cell system and a heat management method for the fuel cell component.

The present disclosure relates to the field of fuel cells. The present disclosure relates to a fuel cell component, comprising a plate body, with the following provided on the plate body: an anode gas flow path leading from an anode inlet to an anode outlet; a cathode gas flow path leading from a cathode inlet to a cathode outlet; and a coolant flow path leading from a coolant inlet to a coolant outlet, the coolant flow path being configured such that coolant is partially diverted from the coolant inlet to a designated region of the plate body and mixes with an undiverted portion in the designated region, in order to enhance cooling capacity in the designated region by means of the mixed coolant. The present disclosure also relates to a fuel cell system and a heat management method for the fuel cell component.

A kit for a fuel cell stack comprises a first plurality of unit cells of the same design, which can be stacked on top of each other in a stacking direction and which each have one or more media channels and a membrane electrode assembly, the membrane electrode assembly comprising a cathode, an anode, and a membrane arranged between the cathode and the anode, a first media guide, which can be laterally connected to the first plurality of unit cells and runs parallel to the stacking direction, having a first usable flow cross section, in order to guide a medium into or out from the media channels of the unit cells of the first plurality of unit cells substantially laterally with respect to the stacking direction, a second plurality of unit cells of the same design, and a second media guide, which can be connected laterally to the two pluralities of unit cells stacked on top of one another and running parallel to the stacking direction, having a second usable flow cross section, different from the first usable flow cross section, in order to guide a medium into or out from the media channels of the unit cells of the two pluralities of unit cells substantially laterally to the stacking direction. A method for production of a fuel cell stack of a fuel cell device is also provided.

A kit for a fuel cell stack comprises a first plurality of unit cells of the same design, which can be stacked on top of each other in a stacking direction and which each have one or more media channels and a membrane electrode assembly, the membrane electrode assembly comprising a cathode, an anode, and a membrane arranged between the cathode and the anode, a first media guide, which can be laterally connected to the first plurality of unit cells and runs parallel to the stacking direction, having a first usable flow cross section, in order to guide a medium into or out from the media channels of the unit cells of the first plurality of unit cells substantially laterally with respect to the stacking direction, a second plurality of unit cells of the same design, and a second media guide, which can be connected laterally to the two pluralities of unit cells stacked on top of one another and running parallel to the stacking direction, having a second usable flow cross section, different from the first usable flow cross section, in order to guide a medium into or out from the media channels of the unit cells of the two pluralities of unit cells substantially laterally to the stacking direction. A method for production of a fuel cell stack of a fuel cell device is also provided.