Systems, apparatus and methods for isolating, compressing and/or retaining the structure of a fuel cell stack
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for fabricating a fuel cell stack, comprising:
- placing a stack of fuel cell elements in an open end of a pliable bag having the open end, an opposing closed end and a sidewall therebetween;
compressing the fuel cell stack;
extending a length of material over the compressed stack and across the open end of the bag; and
attaching the length of material to the bag to retain the fuel cell stack in its stack configuration.
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Abstract
A receptacle having an end cap, a pliable sidewall, and a fastener, for receiving and retaining a fuel cell stack in its stacked configuration during fabrication of a multi-stack fuel cell assembly, is shown and described. Methods of fabricating the assembly include stacking the fuel cell in the receptacle, compressing the fuel cell, and engaging the fastener to retain the stack in its stacked configuration and, or to retain the stack under at least partial compression.
21 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A method for fabricating a fuel cell stack, comprising:
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placing a stack of fuel cell elements in an open end of a pliable bag having the open end, an opposing closed end and a sidewall therebetween;
compressing the fuel cell stack;
extending a length of material over the compressed stack and across the open end of the bag; and
attaching the length of material to the bag to retain the fuel cell stack in its stack configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for assembling a plurality of fuel cells, comprising:
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compressing each of the fuel cell stacks;
wrapping a pliable material around each of the stacks of fuel cells to retain the stacks in their stacked configuration; and
placing the plurality of stacks between a pair of manifolds. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A receptacle for receiving and retaining a fuel cell stack in its stacked configuration during fabrication of a multi-stack fuel cell assembly having a manifold, the receptacle comprising:
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an end cap having a plurality of openings therein configured to allow the fuel cell stack to communicate with a corresponding plurality of openings in the manifold;
a pliable sidewall sized and shaped to insulate the fuel cell stack from at least one adjacent fuel cell stack when the multi-stack fuel cell assembly has been assembled; and
a fastener configured to extend from one location on the sidewall across the end of the fuel cell stack opposite the end cap and to be attached to another location on the sidewall to retain the fuel cell stack in its stacked configuration. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification