Ballard Power Systems Corporation

Ford Motor Company Limited

Daimler Ag

Jake De Vaal

Harvindra Deo

Boguslaw M Wozniczka

Alfred Wong

A solid polymer fuel cell comprising a membrane electrode assembly that is in adhesive contact with a first flow field plate around the circumferential edge of the membrane electrode assembly and in non-adhesive contact with a second flow field plate, and an elastomeric manifold seal member that circumscribes at least one manifold opening of the first flow field plate and the second flow field plate. In this configuration, the adhesive substantially seals a first reactant gas while the manifold seal member substantially seals a second reactant gas, thereby improving sealing reliability and simplifying the seal design without overly compressing and damaging the circumferential edge of the membrane electrode assembly.

Integrated seal for fuel cell assembly and fuel cell stack

An electrochemical power generation system includes a fuel cell stack having an oxidant delivery system, an oxygen sensor for measuring the oxygen concentration of ambient air in the vicinity of the power generation system, and a hydrogen concentration sensor for measuring a hydrogen concentration in the ambient air in the vicinity of the power generation system. A controller is configured to cease operation of the power generation system, for example ceasing delivery of fuel to the fuel cell stack, when either the hydrogen concentration measured by the hydrogen concentration sensor exceeding a hydrogen concentration threshold or the oxygen concentration measured by the oxygen sensor falling below an oxygen concentration threshold.

Fuel cell ambient environment monitoring and control apparatus and method

An electrochemical power generation system includes a fuel cell stack having an oxidant delivery system for delivering air from the ambient environment to the oxidant inlet of the stack, an oxygen sensor for measuring the oxygen concentration of ambient air in the vicinity of the power generation system. A controller coupled to the oxygen sensor is configured to cease operation of the power generation system when the oxygen concentration of the ambient air in the vicinity of the power generation system falls below an oxygen concentration threshold. The power generation system may also include a purge valve associated with a fuel outlet from the stack. The controller is coupled to the purge valve and configured to intermittently open the purge valve such that the hydrogen discharged from the fuel cell stack during operation of the power generation system does not cause the hydrogen concentration in the vicinity of the power generation system to exceed a high hydrogen concentration condition before the oxygen concentration in the vicinity of the power generation system falls below the oxygen concentration threshold.

Growing community of inventors

Coquitlam, Canada

Jake De Vaal