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:
Dec. 09, 2003
Filed:
Dec. 18, 2000
Kazufumi Nishida, Moriguchi, JP;
Eiichi Yasumoto, Soraku-gun, JP;
Hisaaki Gyoten, Shijonawate, JP;
Kazuhito Hatoh, Osaka, JP;
Makoto Uchida, Hirakata, JP;
Hideo Ohara, Katano, JP;
Yasushi Sugawara, Higashiosaka, JP;
Teruhisa Kanbara, Toyonaka, JP;
Toshihiro Matsumoto, Ibaraki, JP;
Junji Niikura, Hirakata, JP;
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Osaka-fu, JP;
Abstract
Disclosed is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell having an improved separator plate. The fuel cell comprises a solid polymer electrolyte membrane; an anode and a cathode sandwiching the solid polymer electrolyte membrane therebetween; an anode-side conductive separator plate having a gas flow path for supplying a fuel gas to the anode; and a cathode-side conductive separator plate having a gas flow path for supplying an oxidant gas to the cathode, wherein each of the anode-side and cathode-side conductive separator plates is composed of a metal and a conductive coat which has resistance to oxidation and covers a surface of the metal. Alternatively, the above-mentioned separator plates are formed of a metal and a coat having resistance to oxidation and have roughened surfaces with recessions and protrusions, and portions of a top surface of the protruding portions, which lack the coat, are electrically connected to an electrode.