Nested fuel cell flow field plate
AssigneePlug Power Inc.
InventorCharles M. Carlstrom
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides a layered design for a fuel cell flow field plate. A flow field plate is formed by mating at least two interlocking layers that form an internal fluid channel between them. The internal fluid channel is generally used to circulate a coolant through the fuel cell. Such plates can be manufactured from a variety of materials including carbon composites and metals, and can be used with a variety of fuel cell configurations, including PEM and other types of fuel cells.
Claims36
A flow field plate assembly for a fuel cell, comprising:
- a first layer and a second layer;
- wherein the first layer comprises a first land and a first channel, and wherein the second layer comprises a second land and a second channel;
- and
- wherein the first and second layers are mated such that the first and second channels face in opposite directions, such that a first portion of the first layer interlocks to a common plane with a second portion of the second layer, and such that a third channel is defined between the first and second layers.
A flow field plate assembly for a fuel cell, comprising:
- a first corrugated layer having a first thickness, and a second corrugated layer having a second thickness;
- wherein the first corrugated layer is mated with the second corrugated layer to form a plate assembly, such that a thickness of the plate assembly is equal to the sum of the thicknesses of the first and second layers;
- and
- wherein an interior channel is defined between the first and second layers.
A flow field plate assembly for a fuel cell, comprising:
- a first layer having a first set of corrugations, wherein the first layer comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the first set of corrugations define channels along the top surface of the first layer and define channels along the bottom surface of the first layer, and wherein the channels along the bottom surface of the first layer have a width greater than the channels along the top surface of the first layer;
- a second layer having a second set of corrugations, wherein the second layer comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the second set of corrugations define channels along the top surface of the second layer and define channels along the bottom surface of the second layer, and wherein the channels along the bottom surface of the second layer have a width less than the channels along the top surface of the second layer;
- wherein the first and second layers are mated, such that the bottom surface of the first layer is mated with the top surface of the second layer;
- and
- wherein at least one interior channel is defined between the bottom surface of the first layer and the top surface of the second layer.
A flow field plate assembly for a fuel cell, comprising:
- a first layer defining a first narrow channel in a first direction and a first wide channel in a second direction, the second direction being opposite from the first channel;
- a second layer defining a second narrow channel in the second direction, and a second wide channel in the first direction;
- and
- wherein the first and second layers are mated, such that a valley portion of the first narrow channel engages a valley portion of the second wide channel, and such that an interior channel is defined between the first and second layers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.