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US 8,568,940 B2Granted
Joining bipolar plates using localized electrical nodes
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsKeith E. Newman, Michael K. Budinski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A bipolar plate assembly for a fuel cell is provided. The bipolar plate assembly includes a first unipolar plate disposed adjacent to a second unipolar plate. The first unipolar plate and the second unipolar plate are bonded by a plurality of localized electrically conductive nodes. A fuel cell stack including the bipolar plate assembly and a method for preparing the bipolar plate assembly are also described.
Claims20
A bipolar plate assembly for a fuel cell, comprising:
- a first unipolar plate having a plurality of first lands disposed between a plurality of first flow channels;
- and
- a second unipolar plate having a plurality of second lands disposed between a plurality of second flow channels;
- wherein the first unipolar plate is disposed adjacent the second unipolar plate and at least one of the first lands is bonded to a corresponding one of the second lands by at least two localized electrically conductive nodes.
1 more element
A fuel cell stack comprising:
- a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies arranged in a stacked configuration, each of the plurality of membrane electrode assemblies having a cathode and an anode;
- and
- a bipolar plate assembly disposed between adjacent membrane electrode assemblies, the bipolar plate assembly including a first unipolar plate having a plurality of first lands disposed between a plurality of first flow channels and a second unipolar plate having having a plurality of second lands disposed between a plurality of second flow channels, wherein the first unipolar plate is disposed adjacent the second unipolar plate and at least one of the first lands is bonded to a corresponding one of the second lands by at least two localized electrically conductive nodes.
A method for preparing a bipolar plate assembly for a fuel cell stack, comprising the steps of:
- providing a first unipolar plate having a first inner surface and a plurality of first lands disposed between a plurality of first flow channels;
- providing a second unipolar plate having a second inner surface and a plurality of second lands disposed between a plurality of second flow channels;
- positioning the first inner surface adjacent the second inner surface;
- and
- bonding at least one of the first lands to a corresponding one of the second lands by at least two localized electrically conductive nodes.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.