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AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsSiguang Xu, Steven J. Spencer, John R. Bradley, Gerald W. Fly, Arianna T. Morales
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A bipolar plate used in a fuel cell and a method of making a bipolar plate. The sheet is made from a ferritic or austenitic stainless steel, and defines an undulated surface pattern such that the patterned sheet may be formed into the bipolar plate. In one configuration, a stamping or related metal forming tool operation will further deform the patterned sheet into the bipolar plate shape such that the wall thickness is substantially uniform throughout the surface. In this way, there is a substantial reduction in stretching/thinning/necking at an intersection between bends and side walls that define the undulations of the pattern. In one form, the pattern defines a repeating serpentine shape. In a particular embodiment, the bends may include surface modifications to reduce the effects of sheet-to-tool misalignment.
A method of preparing a stainless steel bipolar plate for a fuel cell, said method comprising:
A method of preparing a bipolar plate for a fuel cell, said method comprising:
A method of preparing a fuel cell, said method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.