# US 8,541,144 B2 · Fuel cell system manifold seal > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,541,144 B2 - Document ID: US8541144B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/608,175 - Filed: 2009-10-29 - Published: 2011-05-05 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2009-10-29 - Assignees: FuelCell Energy, Inc. - Applicants: Glenn DiCostanzo; Dana Kelley; Louis Ernst, Jr. - Inventors: Glenn DiCostanzo; Dana Kelley; Louis Ernst, Jr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8541144B2 ## CPC - H01M 8/04201: {Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes} - H01M 8/244: with matrix-supported molten electrolyte - H01M 8/2485: Arrangements for sealing external manifolds; Arrangements for mounting external manifolds around a stack - H01M 2008/147: {Fuel cells with molten carbonates} - 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 manifold seal for a fuel cell system includes a sealing area defined by a peripheral portion of a fuel cell stack of the fuel cell system and a portion of an end plate positioned on the fuel cell stack. The manifold seal includes a manifold frame defining a mating surface which sealingly engages the sealing area. The manifold seal also includes a bracket defining a base portion and having a lip projecting from an edge thereof. The base portion is moveably secured to a face of the end plate so that the edge is positioned on the sealing area. The lip is moveably engaged in and cooperates with a slot formed in the mating surface to seal a gap between the mating surface and the sealing area caused by movement of the fuel cell stack. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A manifold seal for a fuel cell system comprising: a sealing area defined by a peripheral portion of a fuel cell stack of the fuel cell system and a portion of an end plate positioned on the fuel cell stack; a manifold frame defining a mating surface which sealingly engages said sealing area, said mating surface having a slot formed therein; a bracket defining a base portion and having a lip projecting from an edge thereof, said base portion being moveably secured to a face of said end plate so that said edge is positioned on said sealing area; during operation of the fuel cell system, at least a portion of the mating surface and the sealing area are disengaged from one another defining a gap therebetween and said lip is moveably engaged in and cooperates with said slot to seal said gap between said mating surface and said sealing area, said gap being caused by movement of said fuel cell stack resulting from operation of said fuel cell system; said lip defines a leg extending laterally therefrom; and said slot includes a beginning of stack life section and an end of stack life section, wherein said leg moves from said beginning of life section to said end of life section. ### Claim 2 A manifold seal for a fuel cell system comprising: a sealing area defined by a peripheral portion of a fuel cell stack of the fuel cell system and a portion of an end plate positioned on the fuel cell stack; a manifold frame defining a mating surface which sealingly engages said sealing area, said mating surface having a slot formed therein; a bracket defining a base portion and having a lip projecting from an edge thereof, said base portion being moveably secured to a face of said end plate so that said edge is positioned on said sealing area; during operation of the fuel cell system, at least a portion of the mating surface and the sealing area are disengaged from one another defining a gap therebetween and said lip is moveably engaged in and cooperates with said slot to seal said gap between said mating surface and said sealing area, said gap being caused by movement of said fuel cell stack resulting from operation of said fuel cell system; said lip defines a leg extending laterally therefrom; and further comprising a space between said leg and said end plate through which a gasket is disposed, said leg slidingly engaging said gasket. ### Claim 3 A manifold seal for a fuel cell system comprising: a sealing area defined by a peripheral portion of a fuel cell stack of the fuel cell system and a portion of an end plate positioned on the fuel cell stack; a manifold frame defining a mating surface which sealingly engages said sealing area, said mating surface having a slot formed therein; a bracket defining a base portion and having a lip projecting from an edge thereof, said base portion being moveably secured to a face of said end plate so that said edge is positioned on said sealing area; during operation of the fuel cell system, at least a portion of the mating surface and the sealing area are disengaged from one another defining a gap therebetween and said lip is moveably engaged in and cooperates with said slot to seal said gap between said mating surface and said sealing area, said gap being caused by movement of said fuel cell stack resulting from operation of said fuel cell system; and said base portion is free to move parallel to said face of said end plate. ### Claim 4 A manifold seal for a fuel cell system comprising: a sealing area defined by a peripheral portion of a fuel cell stack of the fuel cell system and a portion of an end plate positioned on the fuel cell stack; a manifold frame defining a mating surface which sealingly engages said sealing area, said mating surface having a slot formed therein; a bracket defining a base portion and having a lip projecting from an edge thereof, said base portion being moveably secured to a face of said end plate so that said edge is positioned on said sealing area; during operation of the fuel cell system, at least a portion of the mating surface and the sealing area are disengaged from one another defining a gap therebetween and said lip is moveably engaged in and cooperates with said slot to seal said gap between said mating surface and said sealing area, said gap being caused by movement of said fuel cell stack resulting from operation of said fuel cell system; and a portion of said manifold frame is fixed to said end plate and remaining portions of said manifold frame are movable with respect to the fuel cell stack. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The manifold seal of claim 4, wherein said base portion tapers inwardly from said edge. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The manifold seal of claim 4, wherein said slot extends over a portion of said peripheral portion and over a portion of said portion of said end plate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The manifold seal of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of said manifold comprises a dielectric material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The manifold seal of claim 4, wherein said base portion is restrained from movement perpendicular to said face. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The manifold seal of claim 4, wherein a portion of said manifold frame is moveable, outwardly from said fuel cell stack. ### Claim 10 (depends on 4) The manifold seal of claim 4, wherein said lip projects substantially perpendicularly from said edge. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The manifold seal of claim 1, wherein said leg is movable from said beginning of life section to said end of life section as a result of operational consolidation of said fuel cell stack. ### Claim 12 (depends on 4) The manifold seal of claim 4, wherein during operation of the fuel cell system a portion of the lip extends out of the slot to seal the gap. ### Claim 13 (depends on 4) The manifold seal of claim 4, wherein said slot formed in said mating surface is located at a peripheral portion of the manifold frame. ### Claim 14 (depends on 4) The manifold seal of claim 4, wherein said bracket is L-shaped with said lip extending from said edge partially engaged in and cooperating with said slot to seal said gap. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The manifold seal of claim 14, wherein movement of said L-shaped bracket provides for said lip to remain partially engaged in and cooperating with said slot to provide a continuous seal of said gap between said mating surface and said sealing area during operation of said fuel cell system. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The manifold seal of claim 1, wherein said slot extends over a portion of said peripheral portion and over a portion of said portion of said end plate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 2) The manifold seal of claim 2, wherein said slot extends over a portion of said peripheral portion and over a portion of said portion of said end plate. ### Claim 18 (depends on 3) The manifold seal of claim 3, wherein said slot extends over a portion of said peripheral portion and over a portion of said portion of said end plate. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The manifold seal of claim 1, wherein during operation of the fuel cell system a portion of the lip extends out of the slot to seal the gap. ### Claim 20 (depends on 3) The manifold seal of claim 3, wherein during operation of the fuel cell system a portion of the lip extends out of the slot to seal the gap.