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:
Jan. 24, 2006
Filed:
Nov. 15, 2002
Shane S. Mao, Woodbury, MN (US);
Daniel M. Pierpont, North Saint Paul, MN (US);
Jimmy M. Le, Saint Paul, MN (US);
Kim B. Saulsbury, Lake Elmo, MN (US);
John R. Mlinar, Coon Rapids, MN (US);
Claude D. Moreau, Woodbury, MN (US);
Shane S. Mao, Woodbury, MN (US);
Daniel M. Pierpont, North Saint Paul, MN (US);
Jimmy M. Le, Saint Paul, MN (US);
Kim B. Saulsbury, Lake Elmo, MN (US);
John R. Mlinar, Coon Rapids, MN (US);
Claude D. Moreau, Woodbury, MN (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
A unitized fuel cell assembly includes a first flow field plate, a second flow field plate, and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) provided between the first and second flow field plates. A hard stop arrangement, in one configuration, is provided between the first and second flow field plates. The hard stop arrangement is dimensioned to limit compressive forces imparted to the MEA upon establishment of contact between the first and second flow field plates under pressure. A sealing arrangement is provided between the first and second flow field plates and peripheral to the MEA. The unitized fuel cell assembly is configured as a stand-alone fuel cell unit that can be used alone or in a stack of fuel cell units.