Institute of Gas Technology

M-c Power Corporation

Robert P Bachta

Leonard G Marianowski

Randy J Petri

John R Meek

Thomas G Benjamin

Rene M Laurens

A separator plate for a fuel cell comprising an anode current collector, a cathode current collector and a main plate, the main plate disposed between the anode current collector and the cathode current collector. The anode current collector forms a flattened peripheral wet seal structure and manifold wet seal structure on the anode side of the separator plate and the cathode current collector forms a flattened peripheral wet seal structure and manifold wet seal structure on the cathode side of the separator plate. In this manner, the number of components required to manufacture and assemble a fuel cell stack is reduced.

Separator plate for a fuel cell

Integrated main rail, feed rail, and current collector

A fuel cell electrolyte with an electrochemically inactive matrix, an electrochemically active electrolyte, and a substantially gas impervious metallic foil in the central region of the thickness of the electrolyte extending around its periphery over at least a portion of the fuel cell peripheral seal area and into the electrolyte active area reducing gas crossover between the anode and cathode chambers. The gas impervious metallic foil may extend beyond the periphery of the electrolyte into the fuel cell peripheral seal area and have a resilient gasket on each side forming the fuel cell peripheral seal with seal structures extending from separator plates, thereby eliminating conventional electrolyte wet seals. The seal structures according to this invention are also suitable for sealing internal manifolds in fuel cell stacks.

Fuel cell crossover arrestor and pressure seal

Growing community of inventors

Chicago, IL, United States of America

Robert P Bachta