Electrochemical cell
AssigneeInfinity Fuel Cell and Hydrogen, Inc.
InventorsChristopher Callahan, James F. McElroy, Alfred Meyer, William F. Smith
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Abstract
An electrochemical cell having two or more diffusion bonded layers, which demonstrates a high degree of ruggedness, reliability, efficiency and attitude insensitiveness, is provided. The novel cell structure simplifies construction and operation of these cells. Also provided is a method for passive water removal from these cells. The inventive cell, as well as stacks made using these cells, is suitable for use in applications such as commercial space power systems, long endurance aircraft, undersea power systems, remote backup power systems, and regenerative fuel cells.
Claims12
An electrochemical cell that comprises a membrane electrode assembly having a cathode side and an anode side, and a diffusion bonded bipolar plate assembly, the bipolar plate assembly comprising:
- a water flowfield;
- an oxygen screen/frame assembly having a screen mesh including a plurality of openings forming fluid-flow spaces;
- and
- a hydrophilic porous plate comprising a sintered metallic porous membrane for water-gas separation, which allows water to pass and resists gas intrusion, wherein the hydrophilic porous plate is located between and diffusion bonded to the water flowfield and the oxygen screen/frame assembly,
- wherein, the oxygen screen/frame assembly is located on the cathode side of the membrane electrode assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.