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:
Oct. 27, 2009
Filed:
Apr. 19, 2004
Oliver J. Murphy, Bryan, TX (US);
Carlos Salinas, Bryan, TX (US);
Oliver J. Murphy, Bryan, TX (US);
Carlos Salinas, Bryan, TX (US);
Lynntech, Inc., College Station, TX (US);
Abstract
Protecting a membrane and electrode assembly in an electrochemical cell having one or more electrocatalysts in intimate contact with the membrane during storage or shipment of the cell. The membrane may be provided in either the non-proton form of a dry or hydrated cation exchange membrane, such as an alkali metal cation form or an ammonium cation form; the wet or dry precursor form of a cation exchange membrane, such as the non-ionically conducting sulfonyl-fluoride polymer membrane; or the dry proton form of a cation exchange membrane. These membrane surfaces are not acidic under open circuit conditions experienced during storage or shipment of the cell. Since some electrocatalysts are degraded during contact with the acidic surface of a hydrated membrane, the non-acidic surface of the membrane protects these electrocatalysts. The method may be used on newly assembled electrochemical cells, on cells being taken out of service, and on membrane and electrode assemblies.