Fuel cell

• US 9,219,287 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2014
• Issued: 12/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Eickhoff, Steven J.
• Primary Examiner(s): MARKS, JACOB B
• Application Number:
  US14/570,364
• Publication Number:
  US 20150096670A1
• Time in Patent Office: 372 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/18 involving the assembly of discrete sheets or panels only
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 38/0012 Mechanical treatment, e.g. roughening, deforming, stretching
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2008/1095 Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/8626 characterised by the form
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/004 Cylindrical, tubular or wound
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0232 Metals or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0239 Organic resins; Organic polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0245 in the form of layered or coated products
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0252 tubular
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0273 with sealing or supporting means in the form of a frame
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/065 by dissolution of metals or alloys; by dehydriding metallic substances
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1006 Corrugated, curved or wave-shaped MEA
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/242 comprising framed electrodes or intermediary frame-like gaskets H01M8/2425, H01M8/244 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/2465 Details of groupings of fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1043 Subsequent to assembly

Abstract

An example fuel cell assembly may include a proton exchange membrane (or membrane electrode assembly) that has a first major surface and a second major surface. An anode electrode, which may include a patterned metal layer with a plurality of apertures extending through the patterned metal layer, may also be provided. An anode gas diffusion layer secured to an anode adhesive frame may be situated between the anode electrode and the first major surface of the proton exchange membrane. A cathode electrode may, in some instances, include a patterned metal layer with a plurality of apertures extending through the patterned metal layer. A cathode gas diffusion layer secured to a cathode adhesive frame may be situated between the cathode electrode and the second major surface of the proton exchange membrane. In some instances a fuel cell assembly may be flexible so that the fuel cell assembly can be rolled into a rolled configuration that defines an inner cavity with open ends. A fuel pellet may be inserted into the inner cavity, and one or more end caps may be provided to cover and seal the open ends.

Claims

1. A method for forming a fuel cell stack, the method comprising:

providing an anode electrode, the anode electrode including a plurality of apertures;

disposing an anode adhesive frame on the anode electrode, the anode adhesive frame including at least two anode electrode vacant regions;

disposing an anode gas diffusion layer within each anode electrode vacant region, the anode gas diffusion layer and the anode adhesive frame lying substantially in a common first plane;

disposing a first major surface of a membrane electrode assembly adjacent the anode gas diffusion layer, wherein the anode adhesive frame forms a gas seal around each anode gas diffusion layer between the first major surface of the membrane electrode assembly and the anode electrode;

disposing a cathode adhesive frame adjacent the anode adhesive frame, the cathode adhesive frame forming a gas seal with the anode adhesive frame, the cathode adhesive frame including at least two cathode electrode vacant regions;

disposing a cathode gas diffusion layer adjacent a second major surface of the membrane electrode assembly and within each cathode electrode vacant region, the cathode gas diffusion layer and the cathode adhesive frame lying substantially in a common second plane;

disposing a cathode electrode adjacent the cathode gas diffusion layer and adjacent the cathode gas diffusion layer, wherein the cathode adhesive frame forms a gas seal around each cathode gas diffusion layer between the cathode electrode and the second major surface of the membrane electrode assembly; and

securing the anode electrode, anode adhesive frame, anode gas diffusion layer, membrane electrode assembly, cathode adhesive frame, cathode gas diffusion layer and cathode electrode together to form a substantially planar fuel cell assembly, the fuel cell assembly including two opposing edges; and

rolling the fuel cell assembly into a rolled configuration to define an inner cavity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein when the fuel cell assembly is arranged in the rolled configuration, the two opposing edges of the fuel cell assembly are secured together to define the inner cavity.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the two opposing edges of the fuel cell assembly are secured together by a weld bond.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the two opposing edges of the fuel cell assembly are secured together by an adhesive bond.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

installing end caps for covering each of two open ends of the fuel cell assembly when the fuel cell assembly is arranged in the rolled configuration.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

inserting a fuel pellet into the cavity.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein rolling the fuel cell assembly includes rolling the fuel cell assembly into a substantially cylindrical configuration.