Process for making planar framed membrane electrode assembly arrays, and fuel cells containing the same
AssigneeE.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
InventorsDonald Brunk, Deepak Perti
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a process for making single or multiple planar array five layer membrane electrode assemblies utilizing array assemblies, as well as the array assemblies themselves, comprising proton exchange membrane (PEM), catalyst coated membranes (CCM) and gas diffusion layers (GDL), as well as gas diffusion electrodes (GDE) for use in fuel cells, wherein the process is practical, efficient and scalable.
Claims36
A process of forming at least one framed membrane electrode sub-assembly comprising:
- a.) forming at least one framed membrane electrode assembly component comprising an external frame having a plurality of bridges, and at least one element having a plurality of outer edges, wherein the at least one element is connected to the external frame via the plurality of bridges, thereby forming a unitary structure;
- b.) forming a carrier material having a plurality of apertures defined by a plurality of inner edges;
- and
- c.) securing the carrier material to the at least one framed membrane electrode assembly component, wherein the external frame, and plurality of outer edges of the at least one element are supported by the carrier material, thereby forming at least one framed membrane electrode sub-assembly.
A framed membrane electrode sub-assembly prepared by a process comprising:
- a.) forming at least one framed membrane electrode assembly component comprising an external frame having a plurality of bridges, and at least one element having a plurality of outer edges, wherein the at least one element is connected to the external frame via the plurality of bridges, thereby forming a unitary structure;
- b.) forming a carrier material having a plurality of apertures defined by a plurality of inner edges;
- c.) securing the carrier material to the at least one framed membrane electrode assembly component, wherein the external frame, and plurality of outer edges of the at least one element are supported by the carrier material, thereby forming at least one framed membrane electrode sub-assembly.
A framed membrane electrode assembly array comprising a framed membrane electrode sub-assembly prepared by a process comprising:
- a.) forming at least one framed membrane electrode assembly component comprising an external frame having a plurality of bridges, and at least one element having a plurality of outer edges, wherein the at least one element is connected to the external frame via the plurality of bridges, thereby forming a unitary structure;
- b.) forming a carrier material having a plurality of apertures defined by a plurality of inner edges;
- c.) securing the carrier material to the at least one framed membrane electrode assembly component, wherein the external frame, and plurality of outer edges of the at least one element are supported by the carrier material, thereby forming at least one framed membrane electrode sub-assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.