Seal configuration for electrochemical cell
AssigneeNuvera Fuel Cells, LLC
InventorsRoger VAN BOEYEN, Edward DOMIT, Kevin BEVERAGE, Scott BLANCHET, John STANG
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrochemical cell includes a pair of bipolar plates and a membrane electrode assembly between the bipolar plates. The membrane electrode assembly comprises an anode compartment, a cathode compartment, and a proton exchange membrane disposed therebetween. The cell further includes a sealing surface formed in one of the pair of bipolar plates and a gasket located between the sealing surface and the proton exchange membrane. The gasket is configured to plastically deform to create a seal about one of the cathode compartment or the anode compartment. The sealing surface can include one or more protrusions.
Claims20
An electrochemical cell, comprising:
- a pair of bipolar plates and a membrane electrode assembly located between the pair of bipolar plates, wherein the membrane electrode assembly comprises an anode compartment, a cathode compartment, and a proton exchange membrane disposed therebetween;
- a sealing surface formed in one of the pair of bipolar plates;
- and
- a gasket located between the sealing surface and the proton exchange membrane, wherein the gasket is configured to plastically deform to create a seal about one of the cathode compartment or the anode compartment.
An electrochemical cell, comprising:
- a pair of bipolar plates and a membrane electrode assembly located between the pair of bipolar plates, wherein the membrane electrode assembly comprises an anode compartment, a cathode compartment, and a proton exchange membrane disposed therebetween;
- a sealing surface formed in one of the pair of bipolar plates, wherein the sealing surface comprises one or more protrusions;
- and
- a compressed gasket located between the sealing surface and the proton exchange membrane, wherein the gasket comprises at least one protrusion prior to compression.
An electrochemical cell comprising:
- a pair of bipolar plates, wherein a sealing surface is formed in one of the pair of bipolar plates,
- a membrane electrode assembly located between the pair of bipolar plates, wherein the membrane electrode assembly comprises an anode, a cathode, and a proton exchange membrane disposed therebetween;
- a first seal defining a high pressure zone, wherein the first seal is located between the bipolar plates and configured to contain a first fluid within the high pressure zone;
- a second seal defining an intermediate pressure zone, wherein the second seal is located between the bipolar plates and configured to contain a second fluid within the intermediate pressure zone;
- wherein the first seal is formed by a gasket that is configured to plastically deform to create a seal about one of the cathode compartment or the anode compartment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.