Fuel cell subassemblies incorporating subgasketed thrifted membranes
First Claim
1. A fuel cell roll good subassembly, comprising:
- a plurality of individual electrolyte membranes, each electrolyte membrane comprising a center region, wherein at least some of the electrolyte membranes are catalyst coated electrolyte membranes comprising a first catalyst, a second catalyst, and an electrolyte membrane having first and second generally opposed major surfaces and first and second generally opposed edges, wherein the first catalyst is on the first major surface, wherein the second catalyst is on the second major surface, and wherein the first and second edges of at least one of the electrolyte membranes, first catalyst, and second catalyst are co-terminus;
one or more first subgaskets attached to the individual electrolyte membranes, each of the first subgaskets having at least one aperture, the first subgaskets arranged so that the center regions of the individual electrolyte membranes are exposed through the apertures of the first subgaskets; and
a second subgasket comprising a web having a plurality of apertures, the second subgasket web arranged so that center regions of the individual electrolyte membranes are exposed through the apertures of the second subgasket web,wherein the first gasket aperture and the second gasket aperture are different sizes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel cell roll good subassembly is described that includes a plurality of individual electrolyte membranes. One or more first subgaskets are attached to the individual electrolyte membranes. Each of the first subgaskets has at least one aperture and the first subgaskets are arranged so the center regions of the individual electrolyte membranes are exposed through the apertures of the first subgaskets. A second subgasket comprises a web having a plurality of apertures. The second subgasket web is attached to the one or more first subgaskets so the center regions of the individual electrolyte membranes are exposed through the apertures of the second subgasket web. The second subgasket web may have little or no adhesive on the subgasket surface facing the electrolyte membrane.
14 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A fuel cell roll good subassembly, comprising:
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a plurality of individual electrolyte membranes, each electrolyte membrane comprising a center region, wherein at least some of the electrolyte membranes are catalyst coated electrolyte membranes comprising a first catalyst, a second catalyst, and an electrolyte membrane having first and second generally opposed major surfaces and first and second generally opposed edges, wherein the first catalyst is on the first major surface, wherein the second catalyst is on the second major surface, and wherein the first and second edges of at least one of the electrolyte membranes, first catalyst, and second catalyst are co-terminus; one or more first subgaskets attached to the individual electrolyte membranes, each of the first subgaskets having at least one aperture, the first subgaskets arranged so that the center regions of the individual electrolyte membranes are exposed through the apertures of the first subgaskets; and a second subgasket comprising a web having a plurality of apertures, the second subgasket web arranged so that center regions of the individual electrolyte membranes are exposed through the apertures of the second subgasket web, wherein the first gasket aperture and the second gasket aperture are different sizes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A fuel cell roll good subassembly, comprising:
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a plurality of individual electrolyte membranes, each electrolyte membrane comprising a center region; one or more first subgaskets adhesively attached to the individual electrolyte membranes, each of the first subgaskets having at least one aperture, the first subgaskets arranged so the center regions of the individual electrolyte membranes are exposed through the apertures of the first subgaskets; and a second subgasket comprising a web having a plurality of apertures, the second subgasket web arranged so that second surfaces of the center regions of the individual electrolyte membranes are exposed through the apertures of the second subgasket web, wherein an adhesive layer is not disposed on the second subgasket surface, wherein the first gasket aperture and the second gasket aperture are different sizes. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification