US 6,669,826 B1 · Compact proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrochemical cell stack

Abstract

Compact proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrochemical cell stack. In a preferred embodiment, the cell stack comprises first and second sub-stacks of series-connected, proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrochemical cells. The first sub-stack is stacked between a top end plate and an intermediate plate, and the second sub-stack is stacked between the intermediate plate and a bottom end plate, the top end plate, the intermediate plate and the bottom end plate all extending beyond the peripheries of the first and second sub-stacks. A first set of tie rods is coupled to the top end plate and extends downwardly therefrom through the intermediate plate at points peripheral to the first and second sub-stacks, the first tie rods terminating prior to the bottom end plate. A Belleville washer spring stack is mounted on each of the first tie rods below the intermediate plate and above the bottom end plate for biasing the intermediate plate towards the top end plate. A second set of tie rods is coupled to the bottom end plate and extends upwardly therefrom through the intermediate plate at points peripheral to the first and second sub-stacks, the second tie rods terminating prior to the top end plate. A Belleville washer spring stack is mounted on each of the second tie rods above the intermediate plate and below the top end plate for biasing the intermediate plate towards the bottom end plate. The first and second sub-stacks may be electrically interconnected in series or in parallel.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An electrochemical cell stack comprising:

(a) a first sub-stack, said first sub-stack comprising a plurality of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrochemical cells arranged in series in a bipolar configuration;
(b) a second sub-stack, said second sub-stack comprising a plurality of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrochemical cells arranged in series in a bipolar configuration;
(c) a top end plate;
(d) a bottom end plate;
(e) a first intermediate support, said first sub-stack being stacked,between said top end plate and said first intermediate support, said second sub-stack being stacked between said first intermediate support and said bottom end plate;
(f) wherein said top end plate, said first intermediate support and said bottom end plate all extend beyond the peripheries of said first and second sub-stacks;
(g) a first tie rod, said first tie rod being coupled to said top end plate and extending downwardly from said top end plate through said first intermediate support at a point peripheral to both of said first and second sub-stacks, said first tie rod terminating prior to said bottom end plate;
and
(h) first biasing means, mounted on said first tie rod below said first intermediate support and above said bottom end plate, for biasing said first intermediate support towards said top end plate.

6 more elements

An electrochemical cell stack comprising:

(a) a first sub-stack, said first sub-stack comprising a plurality of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrochemical cells arranged in series in a bipolar configuration;
(b) a second sub-stack, said second sub-stack comprising a plurality of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrochemical cells arranged in series in a bipolar configuration;
(c) a top end plate;
(d) a bottom end plate;
(e) a first intermediate support, said first sub-stack being stacked between said top end plate and said first intermediate support, said second sub-stack being stacked between said first intermediate support and said bottom end plate;
(f) wherein said top end plate, said first intermediate support and said bottom end plate all extend beyond the peripheries of said first and second sub-stacks;
(g) a first plurality of tie rods, each of said first plurality of tie rods being coupled to said top end plate and extending downwardly from said top end plate through said first intermediate support at a point peripheral to both of said first and second sub-stacks, said first plurality of tie rods terminating prior to said bottom end plate;
(h) biasing means, mounted on said first plurality of tie rods below said first intermediate support and above said bottom end plate, for biasing said first intermediate support towards said top end plate;
(i) a second plurality of tie rods, each of said second plurality of tie rods being coupled to said bottom end plate and extending upwardly from said bottom end plate through said first intermediate support at a point peripheral to both of said first and second sub-stacks, said second plurality of tie rods terminating prior to said top end plate;
and
(j) biasing means, mounted on said second plurality of tie rods above said first intermediate support and below said top end plate, for biasing said first intermediate support towards said bottom end plate.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Compact proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrochemical cell stack

Life of this patent

Compact proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrochemical cell stack

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21