Proton exchange membrane fuel cell support plate and an assembly including the same
First Claim
1. A plate-shaped proton exchange membrane fuel cell component comprising.a pair of substantially coextensive porous support plates each including a central portion and a peripheral portion integral with and circumferentially completely surrounding said central portion;
- a proton exchange membrane interposed between at least all of said central portions of said support plates to form a sandwich assembly therewith; and
a circumferentially complete body of elastomeric sealing material joining said sandwich assembly at said peripheral portions of said support plates and completely filling the pores of said peripheral portions to make said peripheral portions completely impermeable to the penetration of fluids therethrough.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A support plate for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell includes a porous support body that has a central portion and a peripheral portion integral with and circumferentially completely surrounding the central portion, and a sealing body of elastomeric sealing material that completely fills the pores of the peripheral portion to make it impermeable to fluids. The support plate may be assembled with another one and with a proton exchange membrane interposed between the two support plates to form an assembly, and the sealing body then peripherally joins and seals the assembly and fills any gaps that may be present between the peripheral portions due to the absence of the membrane from such regions and thus to peripherally encapsulate the membrane.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A plate-shaped proton exchange membrane fuel cell component comprising.
a pair of substantially coextensive porous support plates each including a central portion and a peripheral portion integral with and circumferentially completely surrounding said central portion; -
a proton exchange membrane interposed between at least all of said central portions of said support plates to form a sandwich assembly therewith; and a circumferentially complete body of elastomeric sealing material joining said sandwich assembly at said peripheral portions of said support plates and completely filling the pores of said peripheral portions to make said peripheral portions completely impermeable to the penetration of fluids therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A support plate for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, comprising
a porous support body including a central portion and a peripheral portion integral with and circumferentially completely surrounding said central portion; - and
a circumferentially complete sealing body of elastomeric sealing material completely filling the pores of said peripheral portion to make said peripheral portion completely impermeable to penetration of fluids therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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Specification