3m Innovative Properties Company

Eric J Iverson

Daniel M Pierpont

Stephan J Obradovich

Steven Joseph Hamrock

Donald George Peterson

Mark Kevitt Debe

Eric J Hanson

Michael Andrew Yandrasits

Andrew J L Steinbach

Eric Joseph Hanson

Jimmy Minh Le

Michael Tyler Hicks

Scott Alan Ripley

David J Miller

An automated roll to roll method of making a fuel cell roll good subassembly is described wherein an elongated first subgasket web having a plurality of apertures is moved relative to a plurality of individual electrolyte membranes, each individual electrolyte membrane having a center region. The individual electrolyte membranes are aligned with the first subgasket web so that a center region of each electrolyte membrane is aligned with an aperture of the first subgasket web and the individual electrolyte membranes are attached to the first subgasket web.

Fuel cell subassemblies incorporating subgasketed thrifted membranes

A fuel cell roll good subassembly is described that includes a plurality of individual electrolyte membranes. One or more first subgaskets are attached to the individual electrolyte membranes. Each of the first subgaskets has at least one aperture and the first subgaskets are arranged so the center regions of the individual electrolyte membranes are exposed through the apertures of the first subgaskets. A second subgasket comprises a web having a plurality of apertures. The second subgasket web is attached to the one or more first subgaskets so the center regions of the individual electrolyte membranes are exposed through the apertures of the second subgasket web. The second subgasket web may have little or no adhesive on the subgasket surface facing the electrolyte membrane.

A method and apparatus for making fuel cell components via a roll to roll process are described. Spaced apart apertures are cut in first and second gasket webs that each include adhesives. The first and second gasket webs are transported to a bonding station on conveyers. A membrane web that includes at least an electrolyte membrane is also transported to the bonding station. At the bonding station, a gasketed membrane web is formed by attaching the first and second gasket webs to the membrane web. The first gasket web is attached to a first surface of the membrane web via the adhesive layer of the first gasket web. The second gasket web is attached to a second surface of the membrane web via the adhesive layer of the second gasket web.

Processing methods and systems for assembling fuel cell perimeter gaskets

Fabrication methods for making a gas diffusion layer incorporating a gasket (GIG) fuel cell subassemblies via roll-to-roll processes are described. A material processable by one or both of heat and pressure having spaced apart apertures is transported to a bonding station. A first gasket layer having gas diffusion layers arranged in relation to spaced apart apertures of a first gasket layer is transported to the bonding station. The heat/pressure processable material is aligned with the first gasket layer and the gas diffusion layers. At the bonding station, the heat/pressure processable material is bonded to the first gasket layer and the gas diffusion layers. After bonding, the heat/pressure processable material forms a second gasket layer that attaches the gas diffusion layers to the first gasket layer.

Method and apparatus for fabricating roll good fuel cell subassemblies

A gas diffusion layer incorporating a gasket (GIG) is described along with assemblies incorporating the GIG subassembly. Processes for making the GIG and membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) incorporating the GIG are also described. A GIG subassembly includes a gas diffusion layer (GDL) and a gasket bonded to the GDL. The gasket includes a first gasket layer and a second gasket layer. The second gasket layer is formed of a gasket material in contact with the first gasket layer and the GDL. The gasket material of the second gasket layer bonds the GDL to the first gasket layer. An adhesive layer, and optionally a removable adhesive liner, is disposed on a surface of the first gasket layer opposite the second gasket layer. In some MEA configurations, the GDL is disposed within an aperture in the first gasket layer.

Growing community of inventors

Eau Claire, WI, United States of America

Eric J Iverson