Fuelcell Energy, Inc.

Energy Research Corporation

Michael Primerano

Lawrence J Novacco

William Fitler Morris

Chao-yi Yuh

Mohammad Farooque

Thomas M Lucas

Jian Li

William Morris

A method of forming a bipolar separator assembly for use in a fuel cell assembly includes a step of forming an anode-side sub-assembly, which comprises sub-steps of: providing an anode current collector, providing a plate member, first and second opposing end segments and third and fourth opposing end segments, positioning said plate member so that said anode current collector abuts the first surface of the plate member, providing first and second anode wet seal members, and releasably securing the first and second anode wet seal members to the plate member; a step of forming a cathode-side sub-assembly, which comprises sub-steps of: providing a cathode current collector; providing first and second cathode wet seal members; and releasably securing the first and second cathode wet seal members to the cathode current collector; and a step of assembling the cathode-side sub-assembly with the anode-side sub-assembly.

Method of forming a bipolar separator assembly

An assembly includes (a) an anode-side sub-assembly including: a plate member having first and second opposing surfaces compatible with fuel and oxidant gases, respectively, the plate member having first and second opposing end segments, and third and fourth opposing end segments; an anode current collector abutting the first surface of the plate member; and first and second anode wet seal members releasably secured to the plate member so as to form first and second pockets on the first surface of the plate member and (b) a cathode-side subassembly comprising: first and second cathode wet seal members configured to form third and fourth pockets on the second surface of the plate member and to be releasably positioned adjacent said third and fourth opposing end segments; and a cathode current collector cooperating with the first and second cathode wet seal members.

Fuel cell assembly

A bipolar separator assembly for use with a fuel cell comprising: a plate member having opposing first and second surfaces compatible with fuel gas and oxidant gas, respectively, the plate member having first and second opposing end segments and third and fourth opposing end segments which are transverse to the first and second opposing end segments; first and second pocket members situated adjacent the first and second end segments and extending outward of the first surface, the first and second pocket members being adapted to enclose opposing ends of an anode current collector, and third and fourth pocket members situated adjacent the third and fourth end segments and extending outward of the second surface, the third and fourth pocket members being adapted to enclose opposing ends of a cathode current collector, wherein at least a portion of each of the first, second, third and fourth pocket members is formed separately from the plate member and is releasably positioned relative to the plate member.

Bipolar separator assembly for fuel cells and method of making same

A bipolar separator formed from a plate member and first, second, third and fourth pocket members separately formed from the plate member. The plate member is fabricated from a stainless steel material and each of the pocket members is fabricated from a stainless steel with an aluminum coating. Welds including aluminum affix the pocket members to the plate member.

Bipolar separator plate with improved wet seals

A bipolar separator formed from a plate having trough members formed on opposing first and second sides of a central area. Separately formed trough members are secured to opposing third and fourth sides of the central area. The trough members and trough areas are formed so as to reduce stress on the electrolyte matrices supported thereby.

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Winsted, CT, United States of America

Michael Primerano