BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of an embodiment of fuel cell plates with a seal retention mechanism.
FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate front and rear views of an embodiment of a fuel cell plate with the seal retention mechanism.
FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of assembled fuel cell plates with the seal retention mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Embodiments of fuel cell plates described herein include a seal retention mechanism configured to improve the retention of sealing bead material to fuel cell plates. The seal retention mechanism does not rely on through-holes wherein holes are formed in plates to integrally connect two sealing beads, one on each side of a fuel cell assembly. The seal retention mechanism described herein does not pass through the plates, thereby eliminating a potential leak path within the fuel cell assembly.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded cross sectional view of a fuel cell assembly 10 including a first fuel cell plate 12 and a second fuel cell plate 14. The polarity of the plates 12, 14, i.e., anode and cathode, are not critical to the effectiveness of the seal retention features described herein.
As illustrated, each plate 12, 14 includes grooves 16 formed on a front face 15 (See FIG. 2A) thereof. Preferably, the grooves 16 have the approximately same centerline wherein the grooves 16 on each plate 12, 14, mirrors the other. The configuration of the grooves 16 herein are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting as various shapes and configurations are foreseeable. The grooves 16 are configured to receive sealing bead material that defines paths or channels in which fluid can flow between the plates 12, 14. Each groove 16 includes one or more apertures 18 formed along its length.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2B, each plate 12, 14, includes one or more cavities 19 formed on a rear face 17 thereof. Preferably, each cavity 19 is formed with an opening 20 and a base 22 wherein the base 22 is larger in area than the opening 20 such that the retention characteristic of the mechanism is enhanced. To construct the seal retention mechanism, the apertures 18 of the first fuel cell plate 12 are configured to generally align with the openings 20 of the cavities 19 formed in the second fuel cell plate 14 and vice versa. Each fuel cell plate 12, 14 may include an alignment marking 23 (see e.g., FIGS. 2A, 2B) to assist in ensuring the proper alignment of the apertures 18 and openings 19. The cavities 19 may be formed in various shapes and sizes but does not form a through-hole in the fuel cell plate.
FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of an assembled fuel cell plates having the seal retention mechanism. After aligning the apertures 18 and openings 20 of the fuel cell plates 12, 14, a sealing material 24 is deposited within the grooves 16 through one of many molding processes known to those skilled in the art. The sealing material 24, preferably formed of an elastomeric material, is employed to seal the plates together and prevent fluid leaks within and between assemblies. The sealing material 24 is preferably applied in the form of a curable fluid sealing material, which after being cured in place, is adapted to facilitate control of fluid flows, such as coolants between the plates, and of electrolyte flows between fuel cells.
During the molding process, the sealing material 24 flows within the grooves 16, through the apertures 18 and into the cavities 19. After curing, the sealing material 24 within the cavities 19 operate to mechanically retain or anchor the sealing material 24 within the grooves 16, with the material extending between corresponding aperture 18 and opening 20 serving as a bridge 26 between each plate 12, 14.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Many embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but instead with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
Patent Application
20080070091
