The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 30, 1999
Filed:
Jun. 12, 1998
Ballard Power Systems Inc., Burnaby, CA;
Abstract
An electrochemical fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cell assemblies interposed between a pair of end plate assemblies. The mechanism for securing the stack in its compressed, assembled state includes at least one compression band which circumscribes the end plate assemblies and interposed fuel cell assemblies of the stack. At least one of the end plate assemblies is sufficiently thin so as to deflect under the compressive force if the at least one end plate assembly is supported only at a peripheral edge portion thereof. Preferably, at least one of the end plate assemblies comprises a resilient member which cooperates with each compression band to urge the first end plate assembly toward the second end plate assembly, thereby applying compressive force to the fuel cell assemblies to promote sealing and electrical contact between the layers forming the fuel cell stack.