Apparatus for cutting expanded graphite sheet material
AssigneeBallard Power Systems Inc.
InventorsNeil V. Davis, David Brown
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a method and apparatus for cutting expanded graphite sheet material, at least one cutting tool is urged against the sheet(s). The cutting tool has at least one ridge extending therefrom that includes a substantially tapered cross-section having sloping sides and an edge surface. At least a portion of the sheet material is displaced as the ridge is urged against the sheet. A region of the sheet material in contact with the ridge is compressed so that the density of the region reaches or exceeds the breaking density of the sheet.
Claims9
An apparatus for cutting an expanded graphite sheet, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) a pair of dies adapted to be urged against said sheet and to receive said sheet therebetween, each of said dies comprising a plurality of cutting ridges extending therefrom, each of said ridges comprising a substantially tapered cross-section having sloping sides and an edge surface, said ridges on respective said dies opposing one another, and each pair of opposing said ridges defining the perimeter of an aperture;
- and
- (b) at least one compression mechanism adapted to urge said dies against said sheet,
- wherein at least one of said dies has embossing features incorporated therein for forming at least one fluid flow field plate from said sheet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.