Systems, apparatus and methods for bonding and/or sealing electrochemical cell elements and assemblies
First Claim
1. A method for bonding a first element of an electrochemical cell stack to a second element of the cell stack, the method comprising:
- providing at least one complex groove in a first sealing surface of the first element of the electrochemical cell stack, the complex groove having at least one raised portion and at least one depressed portion, the at least one raised portion being located above the depressed portion, the at least one raised portion being configured to receive and retain a bead of adhesive;
depositing the bead of adhesive on the at least one raised portion of the at least one complex groove;
abutting a second sealing surface of the second element of the electrochemical cell stack against the first sealing surface of the first element of the electrochemical cell stack such that the second sealing surface displaces at least a portion of the bead of adhesive from the at least one raised portion of the complex groove; and
receiving the portion of the bead of adhesive in the at least one depressed portion of the groove.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus, systems, and methods for bonding one element of an electrochemical cell or cell stack to another wherein a sealing grove with a complex cross-sectional shape receives and retains a bead of adhesive prior to being assembled. The complex cross-sectional shape has a raised portion sized to receive and retain the bead of adhesive, and at least one depressed portion to receive adhesive displaced from the raised portion during assembly. Embodiments of the invention incorporate raised portions with straight, beveled, curved, and rough surfaces to increase the strength of the bond between the respective elements.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method for bonding a first element of an electrochemical cell stack to a second element of the cell stack, the method comprising:
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providing at least one complex groove in a first sealing surface of the first element of the electrochemical cell stack, the complex groove having at least one raised portion and at least one depressed portion, the at least one raised portion being located above the depressed portion, the at least one raised portion being configured to receive and retain a bead of adhesive;
depositing the bead of adhesive on the at least one raised portion of the at least one complex groove;
abutting a second sealing surface of the second element of the electrochemical cell stack against the first sealing surface of the first element of the electrochemical cell stack such that the second sealing surface displaces at least a portion of the bead of adhesive from the at least one raised portion of the complex groove; and
receiving the portion of the bead of adhesive in the at least one depressed portion of the groove. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An electrochemical cell comprising:
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a membrane electrode assembly having an ion exchange membrane interposed between first and second electrode layers;
a first body positioned on the first side of the membrane electrode assembly, the first body being configured to direct at least one of a fuel and an oxidant to at least a portion of the first electrode layer; and
a second body positioned on the second side of the membrane electrode assembly, the second body being configured to direct the other of the fuel and the oxidant to at least a portion of the second electrode layer, a sealing surface of the second body having at least one sealing groove with a complex cross-sectional shape, a shallow portion of the cross-sectional shape being sufficiently wide to receive and retain a volume of adhesive prior to assembly of the electrochemical cell, and a deep portion of the, cross-sectional shape being configured to receive a portion of the volume of adhesive that is displaced from the shallow portion during assembly of the electrochemical cell, the deep portion being immediately adjacent the shallow portion. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An electrochemical cell for use in combination with other electrochemical cells to form a cell stack, the electrochemical cell comprising:
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a membrane electrode assembly having a membrane interposed between first and second electrode layers;
a first body positioned on the first side of the membrane electrode assembly, an inner surface of the first body abutting the membrane electrode assembly and being configured to direct at least one of a fuel and an oxidant to at least a portion of the first electrode; and
a second body positioned on the second side of the membrane electrode assembly, an inner surface of the second body abutting the membrane electrode assembly and being configured to direct the other of the fuel and the oxidant to at least a portion of the second electrode, an outer surface of the second body having at least one sealing groove with a complex cross-sectional shape, a first portion of the at least one sealing groove being sufficiently wide to receive and retain a volume of adhesive prior to assembly of the cell stack, and a second portion of the at least one sealing groove being configured to receive a portion of the volume of adhesive that is displaced from the first portion of the at least one sealing groove during assembly of the cell stack, at least a portion of the second portion of the at least one sealing groove being spaced further from a plane of the outer surface of the second body than the first portion of the at least one sealing groove. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A plate for use in an electrochemical cell, comprising:
a sealing groove with a complex cross-sectional shape, a substantially rigid first portion of the sealing groove being sized and shaped to receive and retain a volume of adhesive prior to assembly of the electrochemical cell, and a second portion of the sealing groove being configured to receive a portion of the volume of adhesive that is displaced from the first portion of the sealing groove during assembly of the electrochemical cell. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
Specification