Fuel cell and membrane therefore
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorTai-Tsui Aindow
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fuel cell includes first and second flow field plates, and an anode electrode and a cathode electrode between the flow field plates. A polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) is arranged between the electrodes. At least one of the flow field plates influences, at least in part, an in-plane anisotropic physical condition of the PEM that varies in magnitude between a high value direction and a low value direction. The PEM has an in-plane physical property that varies in magnitude between a high value direction and a low value direction. The PEM is oriented with its high value direction substantially aligned with the high value direction of the flow field plate.
Claims6
A fuel cell comprising:
- first and second flow field plates;
- a cathode electrode and an anode electrode between the first and second flow field plates;
- and
- a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, at least one of the flow field plates influences, at least in part, an in-plane anisotropic physical condition of the PEM that varies in magnitude between a high value direction (Hfuel cell) and a low value direction (Lfuel cell), the PEM defining an in-plane physical property that varies in magnitude between a high value direction (HPEM) and a low value direction (LPEM), and the PEM is oriented between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode such that the HPEM is substantially aligned with the Hfuel cell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.