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US 9,431,667 B2Granted
Cathode channel shutoff in a fuel cell
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorMilos Milacic
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In at least one embodiment, a fuel cell comprising a cathode flow field and a strip is provided. The cathode flow field plate defines a plurality of cathode channels for receiving a first fluid from a cathode source when the fuel cell is in an operational state. The strip includes a flexible first portion positioned about the plurality of cathode channels, the flexible first portion for moving toward the plurality of cathode channels to prevent a flow of the first fluid therein when the fuel cell is in an inoperative state.
Claims20
A fuel cell comprising:
- a cathode flow field plate defining a plurality of cathode channels therein for receiving a first fluid when the fuel cell is in an operational state;
- a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) positioned about the cathode flow field plate and proximate to an anode flow field plate;
- and
- a strip including a flexible first portion positioned about the plurality of cathode channels, the flexible first portion being moveable toward the plurality of cathode channels to prevent a flow of the first fluid therein and through the MEA when the fuel cell is inoperative.
1 more element
A fuel cell comprising:
- a cathode flow field plate defining a plurality of cathode channels for receiving a fluid from a cathode source when the fuel cell is in an operational state;
- and
- a strip including a flexible first portion positioned about the plurality of cathode channels, the flexible first portion moving toward the plurality of cathode channels to prevent a flow of the fluid therein when the fuel cell is in an inoperative state.
A fuel cell stack comprising:
- a plurality of fuel cells for generating electrical power, each fuel cell including:
- a cathode flow field plate defining a plurality of cathode channels for receiving a first fluid from a cathode source when the fuel cell is in an operational state;
- and
- a strip including a flexible first portion positioned about the plurality of cathode channels, the flexible first portion for moving toward the plurality of cathode channels to prevent a flow of the first fluid therein when the fuel cell is in an inoperative state.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.