Manufacture or membrane electrode assembly with edge protection for PEM fuel cells

• US 20080105354A1
• Filed: 11/08/2006
• Published: 05/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Valentine, Seth D., Leistra, James, James, Ronald L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,470,497 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/60
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0273 with sealing or supporting means in the form of a frame
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0276 Sealing means characterised by their form H01M8/0273 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0286 Processes for forming seals
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/242 comprising framed electrodes or intermediary frame-like gaskets H01M8/2425, H01M8/244 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor

Abstract

Methods for attaching a subgasket to an ionomer membrane, wherein the methods provide for the precise location of the subgasket relative to the other component edges of the fuel cell, such as the catalyst layers, so as provide the functionality required to extend the ionomer membrane life and prevent damage to the ionomer membrane during the assembly process.

Claims

1. A method for constructing a membrane electrode assembly/subgasket assembly, comprising:

providing a subgasket member;

providing an adhesive layer on a surface of the subgasket member;

forming the subgasket member into a desired configuration, wherein an area defining an aperture is formed in a central area of the surface of subgasket member;

securing the subgasket member to a first platen member;

providing a catalyst coated membrane member, wherein a catalyst layer is provided in a central area of the membrane member, said catalyst layer including an edge configuration substantially identical to an edge configuration of the aperture;

securing the catalyst coated membrane member to a second platen member; and

manipulating the first and second platen members so that the adhesive layer contacts the membrane member of the catalyst coated membrane member.

2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer is comprised of a pressure sensitive adhesive material.

3. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the membrane member is comprised of an ionomeric material.

4. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the subgasket member is secured to the first platen member with a vacuum force.

5. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer is spaced and opposed from the first platen member.

6. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst layer includes an edge configuration substantially identical to an edge configuration of the aperture.

7. The invention according to claim 6, further comprising aligning a first location datum of the edge configuration of the catalyst layer with a first location datum of the edge configuration of the aperture.

8. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst coated membrane member is secured to a second platen member with a vacuum force.

9. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst layer is spaced and opposed from the second platen member.

10. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst layer is operable to overlap a portion of the adhesive layer or the subgasket member.

11. The invention according to claim 1, further comprising forming an area defining an aperture in a peripheral portion of the subgasket member.

12. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst coated membrane member has a peripheral configuration smaller than a peripheral configuration of the subgasket member.

13. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer is located adjacent to the aperture of the subgasket member.

14. A method for constructing a membrane electrode assembly/subgasket assembly, comprising:

providing a subgasket member;

providing an adhesive layer on a surface of the subgasket member;

forming the subgasket member into a desired configuration, wherein an area defining an aperture is formed in a central area of the surface of subgasket member;

securing the subgasket member to a first platen member with a vacuum force, wherein the adhesive layer is spaced and opposed from the first platen member;

providing a catalyst coated membrane member, wherein a catalyst layer is provided in a central area of the membrane member, said catalyst layer including an edge configuration substantially identical to an edge configuration of the aperture;

securing the catalyst coated membrane member to a second platen member with a vacuum force, wherein the catalyst layer is spaced and opposed from the second platen member; and

manipulating the first and second platen members so that the adhesive layer contacts the membrane member of the catalyst coated membrane member, wherein the catalyst layer is operable to overlap a portion of the adhesive layer or the subgasket member.

15. The invention according to claim 14, wherein the adhesive layer is comprised of a pressure sensitive adhesive material.

16. The invention according to claim 14, wherein the membrane member is comprised of an ionomeric material.

17. The invention according to claim 14, further comprising aligning a first location datum of the edge configuration of the catalyst layer with a first location datum of the edge configuration of the aperture.

18. The invention according to claim 14, further comprising forming an area defining an aperture in a peripheral portion of the subgasket member.

19. The invention according to claim 14, wherein the catalyst coated membrane member has a peripheral configuration smaller than a peripheral configuration of the subgasket member.

20. The invention according to claim 14, wherein the adhesive layer is located adjacent to the aperture of the subgasket member.

21. A method for constructing a membrane electrode assembly/subgasket assembly, comprising:

providing a subgasket member;

providing an pressure sensitive adhesive layer on a surface of the subgasket member;

forming the subgasket member into a desired configuration, wherein an area defining an aperture is formed in a central area of the surface of subgasket member;

securing the subgasket member to a first platen member with a vacuum force, wherein the adhesive layer is spaced and opposed from the first platen member;

providing a catalyst coated ionomer membrane member, wherein a catalyst layer is provided in a central area of the ionomer membrane member, catalyst layer including an edge configuration substantially identical to an edge configuration of the aperture;

securing the catalyst coated ionomer membrane member to a second platen member with a vacuum force, wherein the catalyst layer is spaced and opposed from the second platen member;

aligning a first location datum of the edge configuration of the catalyst layer with a first location datum of the edge configuration of the aperture; and

manipulating the first and second platen members so that the adhesive layer contacts the ionomer membrane member of the catalyst coated ionomer membrane member, wherein the catalyst layer is operable to overlap a portion of the adhesive layer or the subgasket member.

22. The invention according to claim 21, wherein the membrane member is comprised of an ionomeric material.

23. The invention according to claim 21, further comprising forming an area defining an aperture in a peripheral portion of the subgasket member.

24. The invention according to claim 21, wherein the catalyst coated membrane member has a peripheral configuration smaller than a peripheral configuration of the subgasket member.

25. The invention according to claim 21, wherein the adhesive layer is located adjacent to the aperture of the subgasket member.