In a production method and a production apparatus for producing a joint separator, in the state where first and second separators are stacked together, a step of fixing the first and second separators by holding the first and second separators between a base and a holder is performed. Thereafter, a step of welding the first and second separators by radiating a laser light from laser light emitting units, through gaps provided in the holder is performed. After the welding step, an additional pressing step of moving pressing members ahead through the gaps to press heat affected zones welded by the laser light, by the pressing members is performed.

In a production method and a production apparatus for producing a joint separator, in the state where first and second separators are stacked together, a step of fixing the first and second separators by holding the first and second separators between a base and a holder is performed. Thereafter, a step of welding the first and second separators by radiating a laser light from laser light emitting units, through gaps provided in the holder is performed. After the welding step, an additional pressing step of moving pressing members ahead through the gaps to press heat affected zones welded by the laser light, by the pressing members is performed.

A manufacturing method for manufacturing a fuel cell includes a laser application step and a bonding step. In the laser application step, a laser beam is applied to a carbon film of a separator including a metal plate and the carbon film covering a surface of the metal plate such that the metal plate is exposed by removing the carbon film within an application range of the laser beam. In the bonding step, the separator is bonded to a resin member within a range including at least part of a range where the metal plate is exposed.

A bipolar plate for a fuel cell, is provided having an anode plate with an anode side and a coolant side, wherein there is formed on the anode side a first structuring in order to form an anode flow field, and a cathode plate with a cathode side and a coolant side, wherein there is formed on the cathode side a second structuring to form a cathode flow field, there being arranged between the anode plate and the cathode plate structural elements to form a coolant flow field, being contacted from the coolant sides of the anode plate and the cathode plate, and having an optimized pressure distribution in a fuel cell stack and an increased stability as compared to the prior art. The structural elements consist of an elastic material. A fuel cell stack and a vehicle including such features are also provided.

A bipolar plate for a fuel cell, is provided having an anode plate with an anode side and a coolant side, wherein there is formed on the anode side a first structuring in order to form an anode flow field, and a cathode plate with a cathode side and a coolant side, wherein there is formed on the cathode side a second structuring to form a cathode flow field, there being arranged between the anode plate and the cathode plate structural elements to form a coolant flow field, being contacted from the coolant sides of the anode plate and the cathode plate, and having an optimized pressure distribution in a fuel cell stack and an increased stability as compared to the prior art. The structural elements consist of an elastic material. A fuel cell stack and a vehicle including such features are also provided.

A bipolar plate for a fuel cell includes an anode plate and a cathode plate. The anode plate has hydrogen flow channels on a first side of the anode plate and coolant channels on a second side of the anode plate. The cathode plate has a first side disposed against the second side of the anode plate to cover the coolant channels and has a second side defining a recessed pocket configured to receive a stream of air. A flow guide is disposed in the pocket such that an inlet manifold is formed along a first edge of the flow guide and an outlet manifold is formed along a second edge of the flow guide. The flow guide defines channels extending from the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold. A plurality of openings is defined by through the flow guide.

A bipolar plate for a fuel cell includes an anode plate and a cathode plate. The anode plate has hydrogen flow channels on a first side of the anode plate and coolant channels on a second side of the anode plate. The cathode plate has a first side disposed against the second side of the anode plate to cover the coolant channels and has a second side defining a recessed pocket configured to receive a stream of air. A flow guide is disposed in the pocket such that an inlet manifold is formed along a first edge of the flow guide and an outlet manifold is formed along a second edge of the flow guide. The flow guide defines channels extending from the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold. A plurality of openings is defined by through the flow guide.

Methods and systems are provided for manufacturing a bipolar plate for a redox flow battery. In one example, the bipolar plate is fabricated by a roll-to-roll process. The bipolar plate includes a non-conductive substrate that is coupled to a negative electrode on a first surface and coupled to a positive electrode on a second surface, the first surface opposite of the second surface.

A fuel cell separator which is obtained by molding a composition that contains a carbonaceous material and a resin, and which is provided with a sealing part and a groove that serves as a gas flow channel on one surface or both surfaces. This fuel cell separator is configured such that the arithmetic mean heights Sa of the surface of the sealing part and the bottom surface and the peak of the groove on at least one surface are 0.50-1.60 μm and the profile peak heights Spk thereof are 1.50 μm or less as determined in accordance with ISO 25178-2 (2012). Consequently, this fuel cell separator has good hydrophilicity and good adhesion to a gasket.

A fuel cell separator which is obtained by molding a composition that contains a carbonaceous material and a resin, and which is provided with a sealing part and a groove that serves as a gas flow channel on one surface or both surfaces. This fuel cell separator is configured such that the arithmetic mean heights Sa of the surface of the sealing part and the bottom surface and the peak of the groove on at least one surface are 0.50-1.60 μm and the profile peak heights Spk thereof are 1.50 μm or less as determined in accordance with ISO 25178-2 (2012). Consequently, this fuel cell separator has good hydrophilicity and good adhesion to a gasket.