Electrochemical fuel cell stack with compression bands
First Claim
1. An electrochemical fuel cell stack comprising:
- a. a first end plate assembly;
b. a second end plate assembly;
c. at least one electrochemical fuel cell assembly interposed between said first and second end plate assemblies, said at least one fuel cell assembly comprising an anode layer, a cathode layer and an electrolyte interposed between said anode layer and said cathode layer; and
d. a resilient compression assembly comprising at least one compression band circumscribing in a single pass said first and second end plate assemblies and said interposed electrochemical fuel cell assemblies, said resilient compression assemblies, said first end plate assembly toward said second end plate assembly, thereby applying compressive force upon said at least one fuel cell assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrochemical fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cell assemblies interposed between a pair of end plate assemblies. The mechanism for securing the stack in its compressed, assembled state includes at least one compression band which circumscribes the end plate assemblies and interposed fuel cell assemblies of the stack. Preferably, at least one of the end plate assemblies comprises a resilient member which cooperates with each compression band to urge the first end plate assembly toward the second end plate assembly, thereby applying compressive force to the fuel cell assemblies to promote sealing and electrical contact between the layers forming the fuel cell stack.
127 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An electrochemical fuel cell stack comprising:
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a. a first end plate assembly; b. a second end plate assembly; c. at least one electrochemical fuel cell assembly interposed between said first and second end plate assemblies, said at least one fuel cell assembly comprising an anode layer, a cathode layer and an electrolyte interposed between said anode layer and said cathode layer; and d. a resilient compression assembly comprising at least one compression band circumscribing in a single pass said first and second end plate assemblies and said interposed electrochemical fuel cell assemblies, said resilient compression assemblies, said first end plate assembly toward said second end plate assembly, thereby applying compressive force upon said at least one fuel cell assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification