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US 6,280,870 B1Granted
Combined fuel cell flow plate and gas diffusion layer
AssigneePlug Power Inc.
InventorsGlenn A. Eisman, William B. Maynard, Ron H. Farkash, Charles M. Carlstrom
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A gas diffusion layer that is usable with a fuel cell includes a material that is adapted to permit a reactant of the fuel cell to diffuse through the material. The material includes flow channels for communicating the reactant so that at least a portion of the reactant diffuses through the material to a membrane of a fuel cell. The gas diffusion layer may be received by a recessed portion of a plate.
Claims31
An assembly comprising:
- a gas diffusion layer comprising a diffuser body that includes flow channels formed in a surface of the body for communicating a reactant so that at least a portion of the reactant diffuses through the gas diffusion layer to a membrane of a fuel cell;
- and
- a plate including a recessed portion for receiving the gas diffusion layer.
A fuel cell comprising:
- a membrane;
- a first gas diffusion layer comprising a diffuser body that includes flow channels formed in a surface of the body for communicating hydrogen so that at least some of the hydrogen diffuses through the first gas diffusion layer to the membrane;
- a first plate including a recessed portion for receiving the first gas diffusion layer;
- a second gas diffusion layer comprising a diffuser body that includes flow channels communicating oxygen so some that at least some of the oxygen diffuses through the second gas diffusion layer to the membrane;
- and
- a second plate including a recessed portion for receiving the second gas diffusion layer.
3 more elements
A gas diffusion layer usable with a fuel cell, comprising:
- a material adapted to permit a reactant of the fuel cell to diffuse through the material, wherein the material includes flow channels for communicating the reactant so that at least a portion of the reactant diffuses through the material to a membrane of a fuel cell.
A method usable with a fuel cell, comprising:
- forming flow channels in a gas diffusion layer for communicating a reactant;
- diffusing at least some of the reactant through the gas diffusion layer to a membrane of a fuel cell;
- and
- seating the gas diffusion layer in a plate of the fuel cell.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.