BIPOLAR PLATE ASSEMBLY HAVING AN INSERT MEMBER
A bipolar plate assembly includes at least one bipolar plate and at least one insert member configured for face-to-face engagement with the at least one bipolar plate. The at least one insert member has a preformed cutout.
1 . A bipolar plate assembly comprising at least one bipolar plate and at least one insert member configured for face-to-face engagement with the at least one bipolar plate, the at least one insert member having a preformed cutout.
2 . The bipolar plate assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one insert member has a periphery edge, the cutout extending through the periphery edge.
3 . The bipolar plate assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein the cutout is sized and shaped to define a pocket for receiving an insert device.
4 . The bipolar plate assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein the at least one insert member comprise a plurality of insert members.
5 . The bipolar plate assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the cutout is formed by die cutting.
6 . The bipolar plate assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bipolar plate includes a groove aligned with the cutout in the insert member.
7 . A bipolar plate assembly comprising:
a first bipolar plate having a groove formed therein;
a second bipolar plate having a groove formed therein; and
an insert member disposed between the first and second bipolar plates, the insert member having a preformed cutout aligned with the grooves formed in the first and second plate to define a pocket.
8 . The bipolar plate assembly as set forth in claim 7 further comprising a socket disposed within the pocket, the socket being adapted to receive an insert device.
9 . The bipolar plate assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein the socket is adapted to receive at least one of an electrical sensor and a temperature sensor.
10 . The bipolar plate assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein the cutout in the insert member is formed by die cutting.
11 . The bipolar plate assembly as set forth in claim 7 further comprising a front face, a back face, a pair of longitudinal side faces, and a pair of lateral side faces, the pocket extending through one of the lateral side faces.
12 . The bipolar plate assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein the grooves in the first and second bipolar plates are generally U-shaped in cross-section.
13 . The bipolar plate assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein the grooves in the first and second bipolar plates are formed by molding.
14 . The bipolar plate assembly as set forth in claim 7 further comprising a front face, a back face, a pair of longitudinal side faces, and a pair of lateral side faces, the insert member being spaced from the lateral side faces.
15 . The bipolar plate assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein the insert member is spaced from the longitudinal side faces.
16 . A bipolar plate assembly comprising:
a first bipolar plate;
a second bipolar plate; and
an insert member disposed between the first and second bipolar plates, the insert member having a preformed cutout to define a pocket.
17 . The bipolar plate assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein at least one of the first and second bipolar plates has a groove aligned with the cutout formed in the insert member.
18 . The bipolar plate assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein the groove in the at least one of the first and second bipolar plates is generally U-shaped in cross-section.
19 . The bipolar plate assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein the cutout in the insert member is formed by die cutting.
20 . The bipolar plate assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein the pocket is generally circular in cross-section.