Nested fuel cell field plate
AssigneePlug Power Inc.
InventorCharles M. Carlstrom
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides a layered design for a fuel cell flow field plate. A flow field plate is formed by mating at least two interlocking layers that form an internal fluid channel between them. The internal fluid channel is generally used to circulate a coolant through the fuel cell. Such plates can be manufactured from a variety of materials including carbon composites and metals, and can be used with a variety of fuel cell configurations, including PEM and other types of fuel cells.
Claims32
A flow field plate assembly for a fuel cell, comprising:
- a first layer comprising first lands defining first channels between the first lands;
- and
- a second layer comprising second lands defining second channels between the second lands;
- wherein the first and second channels face in opposite directions and the second layer is adapted to mate with the first layer such that the first lands are received in the second channels to define third channels between the first and second layers.
A flow field plate assembly for a fuel cell, comprising:
- a first corrugated layer having a first thickness between a first surface and a second surface of the first corrugated layer, and a second corrugated layer having a second thickness between a third surface and a fourth surface of the second corrugated layer;
- wherein the first corrugated layer is mated with the second corrugated layer to form a corrugated plate assembly having lands and channels and a third thickness between the first surface and the fourth surface, the third thickness at each of the lands being approximately equal to the sum of the first and second thicknesses, and the third thickness at each of the channels being approximately equal to the sum of the first and second thicknesses;
- and
- wherein an interior channel is defined between the first and second layers.
A flow field plate assembly for a fuel cell, comprising:
- a first layer having a first set of corrugations, wherein the first layer comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the first set of corrugations define channels along the top surface of the first layer and define channels along the bottom surface of the first layer, and wherein the channels along the bottom surface of the first layer have a width greater than the channels along the top surface of the first layer;
- a second layer having a second set of corrugations, wherein the second layer comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the second set of corrugations define channels along the top surface of the second layer and define channels along the bottom surface of the second layer, and wherein the channels along the bottom surface of the second layer have a width less than the channels along the top surface of the second layer;
- wherein the first and second layers are mated, so that the channels along the top surface of the second layer receive the bottom surface of the first layer;
- and
- wherein at least one interior channel is defined between the bottom surface of the first layer and the top surface of the second layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.