Heliocentris Energiesysteme Gmbh

Frank Mai

Matthias Bronold

Manfred Becker

Henrik Colell

The invention relates to a membrane electrode unit which is provided for a fuel cell or the like and which comprises a polymer electrolyte membrane that is coated on both sides with electrodes. The sealing edge which is configured on the outer periphery is comprised of a hot-melt-type adhesive whose hydrocarbon skeleton carries, at regular intervals, ionic or strong polar groups which enter into a surface interaction with the ionic groups of the membrane material and thus provide for a good adhesive effect of the hot-melt-type adhesive to the polymer electrolyte membrane. A portion of the sealing edge that protrudes over the outer edge of the membrane electrode unit forms a one-piece homogeneous edge area which is provided with openings for installation and for guiding media, which further improves the sealing effect of the membrane electrode unit, and which contributes to the stability thereof.

Membrane electrode unit comprising an integrated sealing edge

In an electrolysis appliance or a reversible fuel cell which can be operated optionally as a fuel cell or as an electrolysis appliance, a gas reservoir is in the form of a one-piece or two-piece, tubular hollow body. The gas reservoir is open at the top and is split into a reservoir area and an expansion area by a separating plug having an immersion tube which passes through it and points downward. In a region of the reservoir area, the gas reservoirs are each fitted directly to the end plates, or are formed integrally with them. Each of the half-cells are connected to a respective reservoir area and to the electrolyte located in it via channels in the end plate and openings in the respective gas reservoir. The electrolysis appliances or fuel cells which are configured to have an integrated gas reservoir formed in such a way are strong and sturdy, are configured to save space, are easy to handle and can be produced at low cost.

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Munich, Georgia

Frank Mai