Abstract:
A membrane electrode assembly comprises an anode electrode comprising an anode catalyst layer and an anode gas diffusion layer, a cathode electrode comprising a cathode catalyst layer and a cathode gas diffusion layer, a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer, and a layer comprising a fluoroalkyl-phosphonic acid compound between at least one of the anode gas diffusion layer and the anode catalyst layer, the anode catalyst layer and the polymer electrolyte membrane, the polymer electrolyte membrane and the cathode catalyst layer, and the cathode catalyst layer and the cathode gas diffusion layer.
Abstract:
A sealed membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and a method of sealing the MEA comprises the steps of providing a frame around a periphery of the MEA to form a framed MEA; providing a through-hole in the frame; placing the framed MEA into a seal mold, the seal mold comprising a reservoir region, a seal bead region, and at least one runner region; feeding a flow-processable seal material into the reservoir region in the seal mold that is aligned with the throughhole in the frame; feeding the flow-processable seal material from the reservoir region to the seal bead region through the at least one runner region; wherein a hydraulic diameter of the at least one runner region is less than a hydraulic diameter of the reservoir region.
Abstract:
Systems and methods to provide a low voltage interface coupleable between an energy storage device or a DC power source (e.g., fuel cell stack, battery) and one or more AC signal diagnostic systems. The low voltage interface reduces a voltage of the DC power source and supplies the reduced voltage to the one or more AC signal diagnostic systems without affecting the results of the measurements obtained by the one or more AC signal diagnostic systems. Such functionality provides a safer method for performing advanced analysis (e.g., EIS, frequency analysis) while utilizing lower cost and/or smaller components.
Abstract:
A fuel cell stack assembly is disclosed comprising: a fuel cell stack comprising a first end plate, a second end plate, and a plurality of fuel cells interposed between the first and the second end plates; and a compression band which urges the first end plate towards the second end plate along a first face of the fuel cell stack and also along an opposing second face of the fuel stack in a stacking direction thereof in at least two passes on each face of fuel cells stack, thereby applying a compressive force upon the plurality of fuel cells in the fuel cell stack.
Abstract:
Methods for detecting a hydrogen leak and quantifying a rate of the same in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell stack are provided, as well as a fuel cell diagnostic apparatus that diagnoses a hydrogen leak in a fuel cell stack.
Abstract:
Fuel cell reactant flow field plates (22, 32) are formed by extruding long sections (17, 25) of carbonaceous material, either with straight grooves (18, 28) formed by the extrusion die, or by end milling or arbor milling, and then cut to a proper size, including cuts in which the edges of the plates are at an angle with respect to the grooves. Cooler plates are formed of water-permeable material (39) in which hydrophobic material (40) is impregnated so as to define coolant channels (42-44) with inlets and outlets (47, 49). A two-layer cooler plate is formed by stamping voids in one layer (51) that define coolant flow channels (52) with inlets (54) and outlets (56) while a second layer (59) is stamped with voids (61, 62) that define coolant inlet and exit headers; juxtaposition of the layers, with or without bonding, form the cooler plate. A cooler plate (65) is made by corrugating thin metal sheet, providing coolant channels (68) for cathodes and coolant channels (73) for anodes when interposed therebetween.
Abstract:
An exemplary method of processing a catalyst ink includes ultrasonicating the catalyst ink. The exemplary method includes high shear mixing the catalyst ink.
Abstract:
Coolant velocity greater than zero everywhere within the coolant channels (78, 85) of fuel cells (38) in a fuel cell stack (37) is assured by providing a flow of biphase fluid in the coolant channels, the flow being created by the outflow of a condenser (59). Positive pressure is applied to the coolant inlet (66) of the coolant channels. Biphase flow from an oxidant exhaust condenser, which may be a vehicle radiator (120), renders the coolant return flow more freeze tolerant. Using biphase flow within the coolant channels eliminates the need for a bubble-clearing liquid pump and reduces liquid inventory and other plumbing; this makes the fuel cell power plant more freeze tolerant.
Abstract:
A method for embossing expanded graphite sheet material comprises removing at least a portion of the gas from within the material by exposing the material to a pressure less than atmospheric pressure, and then embossing the material. The pressure to which the material is exposed is preferably no greater than about 400 torr. An apparatus for embossing expanded graphite sheet material at a pressure less than atmospheric pressure comprises: an embossing device, a compression device adapted to urge the embossing device against the material, an embossing chamber comprising the at least one embossing device and adapted to receive the material and to be substantially gas-tight at least when the embossing device is urged against the material by the pressing device, and an evacuation device for reducing the pressure within the embossing chamber.
Abstract:
An array of fuel cell systems are electrically couplable in series and/or parallel combinations to provide a variety of output powers, output current and/or output voltages. The fuel cell systems are nullhot swappablenull and redundant fuel cell systems may automatically replace faulty fuel cell systems to maintain output power, current and/or voltage, with or without switching. The configuration of fuel cell systems may be automatic and may be based on desired power, current and/or voltage, and/or based on the operating parameters of the fuel cell systems and/or power supply system.