# US 2010/0167173 A1 · Seal Arrangement in a Fuel Cell Device

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- Number: US 2010/0167173 A1
- Document ID: US20100167173A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 12/596,631
- Filed: 2008-04-23
- Published: 2010-07-01
- Earliest claimed: 2007-05-07
- Assignees: Daimler AG; Ford Global Technologies, LLC
- Inventors: Thomas Baur; Matthias Jesse
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100167173A1

## CPC

- H01M 8/0276: Sealing means characterised by their form (H01M8/0273 takes precedence)
- H01M 8/0284: Organic resins; Organic polymers
- H01M 2008/1095: {Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes}
- Y02E 60/50: Fuel cells
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

The object of the invention is to improve the sealing properties of a seal arrangement in a fuel cell device for sealing against leaks a mechanical joint between two components of the fuel cell device. The invention proposes a seal arrangement in a fuel cell device for sealing against leakage a mechanical joint between two components I1, 1″ of the fuel cell device, which components convey a liquid and/or a gaseous process medium 3 in a media chamber 2, the seal arrangement having a scaling member 9, 12 which is constructed to extend around the media chamber 2 and which is in active connection with the components 1′, 1″. The object is achieved in that a second, surrounding sealing member 10, 13 is provided, which is arranged facing away from the media relative to the first sealing member 9, 12 and is of a different material from the first sealing member 9, 12 and/or has a different geometry.

## Claims

### Claim at position 1

-12. (canceled)

### Claim 13

A seal arrangement for sealing a mechanical joint between two components of a fuel cell device, which components convey a fluid process medium in a media chamber; said arrangement comprising:
a sealing member which is configured to extend around the media chamber in an installed state, in active connection with the components; and
a second, surrounding sealing member which faces away from the media relative to the first sealing member, and comprises one of a different material from the first sealing member and a different geometry from the first sealing member.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The seal arrangement according to claim 13, wherein:
one of material and the geometry of the first sealing member is such that the first sealing member provides a liquid seal; and
one of the material and geometry of the second sealing member is such that the second sealing member provides a gas seal.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The seal arrangement according to claim 14, wherein the material of the first sealing member has a hardness that is greater than a hardness of the material of the second sealing member.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The seal arrangement according to claim 15, wherein:
the first sealing member is made from a rigid material; and
the second sealing member from a resilient material.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The seal arrangement according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the first and second sealing members has a substantially square cross section.

### Claim 18 (depends on 13)

The seal arrangement according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the first and second sealing members has a cross section that is one of substantially round and substantially oval.

### Claim 19 (depends on 13)

The seal arrangement according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the first and second sealing members comprises at least one sealing lip.

### Claim 20 (depends on 13)

The seal arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the first and second sealing members are arranged parallel, but at a distance from one another.

### Claim 21 (depends on 13)

The seal arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the first and second sealing members are connected together by a connecting web.

### Claim 22 (depends on 13)

The seal arrangement according to claim 13, wherein:
the components have matching joint faces; and
the joint face of at least one of the components has a recess for accommodating at least one of the first and second sealing members.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The seal arrangement according to claim 22, wherein said joint face of at least one of the components further comprises a recess for accommodating the connecting web.

### Claim 24 (depends on 13)

The seal arrangement according to claim 13, wherein:
the components are line portions of a media line; and
each line portion comprising a flange with a peripheral flange for forming a joint face.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The seal arrangement according to claim 24, wherein one of the first and second sealing members is arranged coaxially about a line opening of the line portion.