# US 2019/0319280 A1 · Fuel cell separator member and fuel cell stack > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0319280 A1 - Document ID: US20190319280A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/381,103 - Filed: 2019-04-11 - Published: 2019-10-17 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-17 - Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Suguru Ohmori - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190319280A1 ## CPC - H01M 8/0273: with sealing or supporting means in the form of a frame - H01M 8/0276: Sealing means characterised by their form (H01M8/0273 takes precedence) - H01M 8/0247: characterised by the form (characterised by a channel configuration H01M8/0258) - H01M 8/2404: Processes or apparatus for grouping fuel cells - H01M 8/2475: Enclosures, casings or containers of fuel cell stacks - H01M 2008/1095: {Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes} - H01M 2250/20: Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane - 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 A first separator constituting a separator member of a fuel cell stack is provided with a first rib that protrudes from the first separator at a portion between a first seal line and a load receiving portion toward a second separator located on the opposite side across an MEA and that extends in a line along the extending direction of the first seal line. An opening is formed in at least one end of the first rib in the extending direction thereof. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fuel cell separator member comprising: a separator forming a unit cell of a fuel cell stack and a plate-shaped load receiving portion provided on the separator so as to protrude outwardly from an outer peripheral portion of the separator, the unit cell including an opposite separator located on an opposite side of the separator across a membrane electrode assembly, wherein the separator includes: a sealing portion provided around the outer peripheral portion of the separator and making close contact with the membrane electrode assembly to prevent leakage of fluid from between the membrane electrode assembly and the separator; and a rib protruding from the separator at a portion between the sealing portion and the load receiving portion toward the opposite separator and extending in a line along an extending direction of the sealing portion, and an opening is formed in at least one end of the rib in an extending direction thereof. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fuel cell separator member according to claim 1, wherein the sealing portion extends in a wavy shape in a plan view of the separator, and each end of the rib in the extending direction thereof is located opposite a concave curved portion of the sealing portion, the concave curved portion being curved such that it is recessed with respect to an outer edge of the separator. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fuel cell separator member according to claim 1, wherein a protruding length of the rib is same as a length of the sealing portion along a thickness direction of the separator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fuel cell separator member according to claim 1, wherein the separator includes a reinforcing rib extending from the rib in a direction that crosses the extending direction of the rib. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fuel cell separator member according to claim 1, wherein the rib extends along an attachment portion of the load receiving portion to be attached to the separator, over a substantially same length as the attachment portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The fuel cell separator member according to claim 4, wherein the protruding length of the reinforcing rib along the thickness direction of the separator is substantially same as the protruding length of the rib. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The fuel cell separator member according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of the reinforcing ribs are provided at equal intervals along the extending direction of the rib. ### Claim 8 A fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of stacked unit cells each having a fuel cell separator member, the fuel cell separator member including a separator forming the unit cell and a plate-shaped load receiving portion provided on the separator so as to protrude outwardly from an outer peripheral portion of the separator, the unit cell including an opposite separator located on an opposite side of the separator across a membrane electrode assembly, wherein the separator includes: a sealing portion provided around the outer peripheral portion of the separator and making close contact with the membrane electrode assembly to prevent leakage of fluid from between the membrane electrode assembly and the separator; and a rib protruding from the separator at a portion between the sealing portion and the load receiving portion toward the opposite separator and extending in a line along an extending direction of the sealing portion, and an opening is formed in at least one end of the rib in an extending direction thereof. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The fuel cell stack according to claim 8, wherein the unit cell includes a joined separator made of a first separator as the separator and a second separator joined together, and the load receiving portion is not provided on the second separator. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The fuel cell stack according to claim 8, wherein the sealing portion extends in a wavy shape in a plan view of the separator, and each end of the rib in the extending direction thereof is located opposite a concave curved portion of the sealing portion, the concave curved portion being curved such that it is recessed with respect to an outer edge of the separator. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The fuel cell stack according to claim 8, wherein a protruding length of the rib is same as a length of the sealing portion along a thickness direction of the separator. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The fuel cell stack according to claim 8, wherein the separator includes a reinforcing rib extending from the rib in a direction that crosses the extending direction of the rib. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The fuel cell stack according to claim 8, wherein the rib extends along an attachment portion of the load receiving portion to be attached to the separator, over a substantially same length as the attachment portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The fuel cell stack according to claim 12, wherein the protruding length of the reinforcing rib along the thickness direction of the separator is substantially same as the protruding length of the rib. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The fuel cell stack according to claim 12, wherein a plurality of the reinforcing ribs are provided at equal intervals along the extending direction of the rib.