# US 2019/0379067 A1 · Method for producing bipolar plates

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- Number: US 2019/0379067 A1
- Document ID: US20190379067A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/530,096
- Filed: 2019-08-02
- Published: 2019-12-12
- Earliest claimed: 2016-05-16
- Assignees: EnergyOr Technologies Inc.
- Applicants: Energyor Technologies Inc.
- Inventors: Thomas Jones
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190379067A1

## CPC

- H01M 8/0258: characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
- B26F 1/384: {using rotating drums}
- B26F 1/40: using a press, e.g. of the ram type (presses in general B30B)
- H01M 8/0202: Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
- H01M 8/0213: Gas-impermeable carbon-containing materials
- H01M 8/0247: characterised by the form (characterised by a channel configuration H01M8/0258)
- H01M 8/0267: having heating or cooling means, e.g. heaters or coolant flow channels
- H01M 8/0273: with sealing or supporting means in the form of a frame
- H01M 8/2483: characterised by internal manifolds
- H01M 8/026: characterised by grooves, e.g. their pitch or depth
- H01M 8/1011: Direct alcohol fuel cells [DAFC], e.g. direct methanol fuel cells [DMFC]
- H01M 8/1013: {Other direct alcohol fuel cells [DAFC]}
- H01M 8/248: Means for compression of the fuel cell stacks
- Y02E 60/50: Fuel cells
- Y10T 83/0524: Plural cutting steps
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- B26F: PERFORATING; PUNCHING; CUTTING-OUT; STAMPING-OUT; SEVERING BY MEANS OTHER THAN CUTTING (marking-out, perforating or making buttonholes A41H25/00; shoemaking A43D; surgery A61B; punching metal B21D; drilling metal B23B; cutting of metal by applying heat locally, e.g. flame cutting, B23K; cutting by abrasive fluid jets B24C5/02; details common to machines for severing B26D; drilling wood B27C; drilling stone B28D; working of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29; making boxes, cartons, envelopes or bags, of paper or similarly worked materials, e.g. metal foil, B31B; of glass C03B; of leather C14B; of textile materials D06H; for light guides G02B6/25; of tickets G07B)
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A method for producing bipolar plates includes removing scrap material from an electrically conductive plate. The scrap material is created when the plate is cut through to produce a fluid flow opening therein and in which an inlet manifold opening and an outlet manifold opening are located at the ends of the fluid flow opening and in communication therewith.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of producing a fuel cell stack, the method comprising:
a) providing a Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) having an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte located therebetween;
b) locating a n oxidant flow field plate against the cathode;
c) locating a fuel flow field plate against the anode;
d) locating a separator plate against the oxidant flow field plate; and
e) compressing the plates to produce the fuel cell stack, each of the plates each having been cut through to create a plurality of openings therein and finished, the plates being made from an electrically conductive material.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method, according to claim 1, in which the step of compressing the plates creates a plurality of oxidant flow channels between the oxidant flow field plate and the cathode, and a plurality of fuel flow channels between the fuel flow field late and the anode.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method, according to claim 2, in which the compressed plates are self-sealed.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method, according to claim 1, in which the plates are made from flexible graphite.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method, according to claim 1, in which prior to the compressing step, a gasket is bonded to each of the oxidant fuel field plate and the fuel flow field plate.