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:
Jul. 16, 2013
Filed:
Feb. 05, 2004
Leroy M Edwards, Rochester, NY (US);
Clark G Hochgraf, Rochester, NY (US);
Leroy M Edwards, Rochester, NY (US);
Clark G Hochgraf, Rochester, NY (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A fuel cell has a hydrogen flow path adapted to pass hydrogen into communication with an anode catalyst of an MEA. A coolant flow path is adapted to pass coolant through the fuel cell to cool the fuel cell. An enclosure encompasses at least a portion of the hydrogen flow path, the coolant flow path, or both. A hydrogen vent is adapted to vent hydrogen from the enclosure without reliance upon any electrical device. The hydrogen vent can prevent a frame front from passing into the enclosure and can be made of a porous material such as cellulose, plastic (for example, a foamed plastic) or metal (for example a sintered metal). A method of manufacturing a fuel cell includes passively venting hydrogen to maintain a hydrogen concentration level within the enclosure below about 4 percent. Additional enclosures with hydrogen vents may also be provided.