# US 7,611,784 B2 · Integrated switching assemblies for a fuel cell stack

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- Number: US 7,611,784 B2
- Document ID: US7611784B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/863,015
- Filed: 2004-06-08
- Published: 2005-12-08
- Granted: 2009-11-03
- Earliest claimed: 2004-06-08
- Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Inventors: Michael W Murphy
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7611784B2

## CPC

- H01M 8/04089: of gaseous reactants
- H01M 8/0263: having meandering or serpentine paths
- H01M 8/0267: having heating or cooling means, e.g. heaters or coolant flow channels
- H01M 8/241: with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes
- H01M 8/04552: {of the individual fuel cell}
- H01M 8/0491: {of fuel cell stacks}
- H01M 2008/1095: {Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes}
- Y02E 60/50: Fuel cells
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

A switch assembly for selectively enabling current flow through a segment of a fuel cell stack. The switch assembly includes a first plate including a first non-conductive substrate having a first conductive path therethrough and a second plate including a second non-conductive substrate having a second conductive path therethrough. A first switch is disposed between the first plate and the second plate and is in electrical communication with the first conductive path and the second conductive path. The first switch is operable in an open mode to prohibit current flow between the first conductive path and the second conductive path. The first switch is operable in a closed mode to enable current flow between the first conductive path and the second conductive path.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A switch assembly for selectively enabling current flow through a segment of a fuel cell stack, comprising:
a fuel cell stack including:
a first bipolar plate including a first non-conductive substrate having a first conductive path extending therethrough and that is in electrical communication with a first segment of said fuel cell stack;
a second bipolar plate including a second non-conductive substrate having a second conductive path extending therethrough and that is in electrical communication with a second segment of said fuel cell stack; and
a first switch operably disposed between said first bipolar plate and said second bipolar plate and in electrical communication with said first conductive path and said second conductive path;
wherein said first switch in an open mode prohibits current flow between said first conductive path and said second conductive path and in a closed mode enables current flow between said first conductive path and said second conductive path.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The switch assembly of claim 1 wherein said first switch is an electrically operated switch.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The switch assembly of claim 1 wherein said first switch is a diode operated in response to a cell voltage.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The switch assembly of claim 1 wherein said first bipolar plate further comprises a conductive pad that provides electrical continuity between said first conductive path and said first segment of said fuel cell stack.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The switch assembly of claim 1 wherein said second bipolar plate further comprises a conductive pad that provides electrical continuity between said second conductive path and said second segment of said fuel cell stack.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The switch assembly of claim 1 further comprising:
a third conductive path through said first bipolar plate and that is in electrical communication with a third segment of said fuel cell stack;
a fourth conductive path through said second bipolar plate and that is in electrical communication with a fourth segment of said fuel cell stack; and
a second switch disposed between said first bipolar plate and said second bipolar plate and in electrical communication with said third conductive path and said fourth conductive path;
wherein said second switch in an open mode prohibits current flow between said third conductive path and said fourth conductive path and in a closed mode enables current flow between said third conductive path and said fourth conductive path.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The switch assembly of claim 6 wherein said first and second switches are electrically operated switches.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The switch assembly of claim 6 wherein said first and second switches are diodes operated in response to a cell voltage.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The switch assembly of claim 6 wherein said first and second switches are independently operated.