The invention relates to a bending device for forming corrugations in a metal sheet including: a lower frame; an upper frame able to move vertically between a rest position and a bending position; at least two dies, carried by the lower frame; one being fixed with respect to the lower frame and the other mounted with the ability to slide; at least two punches carried by the upper frame; one being fixed and the other being mounted with the ability to slide on the upper frame; the bending device being designed so that, in operation, as the upper frame moves towards its bending position, the metal sheet transmits a pulling force to the sliding punch and to the sliding die which force moves them from a spaced-apart position toward a close-together position.

The invention relates to a bending device for forming corrugations in a metal sheet including: a lower frame; an upper frame able to move vertically between a rest position and a bending position; at least two dies, carried by the lower frame; one being fixed with respect to the lower frame and the other mounted with the ability to slide; at least two punches carried by the upper frame; one being fixed and the other being mounted with the ability to slide on the upper frame; the bending device being designed so that, in operation, as the upper frame moves towards its bending position, the metal sheet transmits a pulling force to the sliding punch and to the sliding die which force moves them from a spaced-apart position toward a close-together position.

A punching tool comprising a punch (42) and a die (46), in particular for manufacturing a creasing plate (24), the die having a straight recess (50) for accommodating material deformed by the punch (42), characterized in that the die (46) has an outer contour which extends, adjacent the open end of the recess (50), at an angle of less than 90 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the recess (50).

A punching tool comprising a punch (42) and a die (46), in particular for manufacturing a creasing plate (24), the die having a straight recess (50) for accommodating material deformed by the punch (42), characterized in that the die (46) has an outer contour which extends, adjacent the open end of the recess (50), at an angle of less than 90 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the recess (50).

A manufacturing method of middle member structure includes steps of applying an external force to a plate body to shape the plate body and form multiple recessed/raised structures and perforating the plate body to form multiple perforations misaligned from the recessed/raised structures so as to achieve a plate body with recessed/raised structures. The middle member structure is applicable to a vapor chamber to enhance the vapor-liquid circulation effect and the support for the internal chamber.

A method of producing a flow field plate for a fuel cell comprises over-profiling relief features in a die set to more accurately reproduce the intended flow channel features in the pressed plate. The process includes determining a target relief profile of features extending across the plate along at least a first dimension of the plate, modulating the relief profile with an over-profiling parameter, as a function of the first dimension; forming a die with the modulated relief profile; and pressing a flow field plate using the die with modulated relief profile to thereby produce the unmodulated, target relief profile in the flow field plate.

A method of producing a flow field plate for a fuel cell comprises over-profiling relief features in a die set to more accurately reproduce the intended flow channel features in the pressed plate. The process includes determining a target relief profile of features extending across the plate along at least a first dimension of the plate, modulating the relief profile with an over-profiling parameter, as a function of the first dimension; forming a die with the modulated relief profile; and pressing a flow field plate using the die with modulated relief profile to thereby produce the unmodulated, target relief profile in the flow field plate.

A multilayer static gasket, stopper region containing distance layer therefor and methods of construction thereof are provided. The gasket includes at least one metal functional layer and at distance layer including a stopper region. The functional layer has a seal bead surrounding at least one passage to be sealed. The distance layer has a thickness extending between generally planar opposite sides, with each of the opposite sides of the distance layer having a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly therefrom and a plurality of depressions extending inwardly therein, wherein the protrusions and depressions form the stopper region. Each of the depressions extends into a separate protrusion, thereby forming an underside of the associated protrusion. The depressions extend into the opposite sides of the distance layer a distance that is equal to or greater than of the thickness of the distance layer.

An energy-dissipating cover for covering a component sensitive to mechanical impulse includes a sheet of selected ferrous or aluminum alloy, the sheet having a top surface, a bottom surface, an outer perimeter, an overall area within the outer perimeter and a nominal thickness of no more than 2.5 mm. The sheet is configured for connection with one or more external structures at a plurality of connection points within the outer perimeter, wherein the overall area comprises a plurality of supported areas and at least one unsupported area. Embossments are formed within the at least one unsupported area and extend outward from the bottom surface. The embossments are shaped, sized and arranged so as to limit orthogonal deflection of the sheet from a mechanical impulse directed normal to the bottom surface of the sheet at the plurality of embossments.

An energy-dissipating cover for covering a component sensitive to mechanical impulse includes a sheet of selected ferrous or aluminum alloy, the sheet having a top surface, a bottom surface, an outer perimeter, an overall area within the outer perimeter and a nominal thickness of no more than 2.5 mm. The sheet is configured for connection with one or more external structures at a plurality of connection points within the outer perimeter, wherein the overall area comprises a plurality of supported areas and at least one unsupported area. Embossments are formed within the at least one unsupported area and extend outward from the bottom surface. The embossments are shaped, sized and arranged so as to limit orthogonal deflection of the sheet from a mechanical impulse directed normal to the bottom surface of the sheet at the plurality of embossments.