Claims
- 1. A fluid permeable graphite article comprising a compressed mass of expanded graphite particles in the form of a sheet having parallel, opposed first and second surfaces, said sheet having a plurality of transverse fluid channels passing through said sheet between said first and second parallel, opposed surfaces, said channels having openings at both of said first and second parallel, opposed surfaces, wherein the channel openings at said first surface are from 50 to 150 times larger in area than the channel openings at said second surface.
- 2. Article in accordance with claim 1 wherein said compressed mass of expanded graphite particles is characterized by expanded graphite particles adjacent said channels extending obliquely with respect to said parallel opposed surfaces.
- 3. Article in accordance with claim 1 wherein the channel openings at said second surface of said sheet are surrounded by a planar graphite surface free of obstructions which would impede flow of fluid into the channel openings at said second surface.
- 4. Article in accordance with claim 1 wherein 1000 to 3000 channels per square inch are present in said sheet.
- 5. Article in accordance with claim 1 wherein said graphite sheet has a thickness of 0.003 inch to 0.015 inch adjacent said channels and a density of 0.5 to 1.5 grams per cubic centimeter.
- 6. A fluid permeable graphite electrode comprising a compressed mass of expanded graphite particles in the form of a sheet having parallel, opposed first and second surfaces, said sheet having a plurality of transverse fluid channels passing through said sheet between said first and second parallel, opposed surfaces, said channels having openings at both of said first and second parallel, opposed surfaces, wherein the channel openings at said first surface are from 50 to 150 times larger in area than the channel openings at said second surface.
- 7. Electrode in accordance with claim 6 wherein said compressed mass of expanded graphite particles is characterized by expanded graphite particles adjacent said channels extending obliquely with respect to said parallel opposed surfaces.
- 8. Electrode in accordance with claim 6 wherein the channel openings at said second surface of said sheet are surrounded by a planar graphite surface free of obstructions which would impede flow of fluid into the channel openings at said second surface.
- 9. Electrode in accordance with claim 6 wherein 1000 to 3000 channels per square inch are present in said sheet.
- 10. Electrode in accordance with claim 6 wherein said graphite sheet has a thickness of 0.003 inch to 0.015 inch adjacent said channels and a density of 0.5 to 1.5 grams per cubic centimeter.
Parent Case Info
The present application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/490,975 filed Jan. 24,2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,506,484 the details of which are incorporated herein by reference.
US Referenced Citations (32)
Foreign Referenced Citations (7)
Number |
Date |
Country |
0248918 |
Jun 1986 |
EP |
63157747 |
Jun 1988 |
JP |
63242395 |
Oct 1988 |
JP |
1123991 |
May 1989 |
JP |
8143856 |
Jun 1996 |
JP |
8169478 |
Jul 1996 |
JP |
54088911 |
Jul 1997 |
JP |
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry |
WO 95/16287. David P. Wilkinson et al. Embossed Fluid Flow Field Plate for Electrochemical Fuel Cells Publication Dated Jun. 15, 1995. |
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09/490975 |
Jan 2000 |
US |
Child |
10/256036 |
|
US |