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AssigneesDaimler AG, Ford Motor Company
InventorsWayne Dang, Robert Esterer, Robert Artibise, Gary T. Martini
Estimating the term…
Improved bipolar plates comprising complex features can be manufactured for fuel cells in a simple, low cost manner by starting with an appropriate extruded piece. The complex features include one or more fluid ports which connect to channels internal to the bipolar plate. The method includes extruding a continuous sheet with appropriate linear channels on each surface of the sheet as well as within the sheet, transversely cutting the sheet, machining a fluid port or ports through the sheet to intersect with appropriate internal linear channels, machining at least two sealing ports through the sheet to intersect with the internal linear channels on opposite sides of the fluid ports, and applying sealant into the sealing ports in order to make appropriate seals to the internal linear channels.
A method of manufacturing a bipolar plate for a fuel cell, the bipolar plate comprising fuel and oxidant flow fields on opposite surfaces of the bipolar plate and at least one channel internal to the bipolar plate for an operating fluid of the fuel cell, the method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.