IP Library Granted Patent US 10,847,812
Granted Patent B2
US 10,847,812 · App. 15/852,824 · Granted Nov 24, 2020

Separator plate, membrane electrode assembly and fuel cell

Inventors: Hannes Scholz (Braunschweig, DE); Matthias Reckers (Braunschweig, DE); Lutz Lackenmacher (Rötgesbüttel, DE)
Assignees: VOLKSWAGEN AG; AUDI AG
H01M8/0221H01M8/0223H01M8/0258H01M8/1004H01M8/1018H01M8/2418H01M8/0267H01M8/083H01M8/086H01M8/1011H01M2008/1095H01M2008/1293H01M2008/147
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,847,812
App. No.
15/852,824
Granted
Nov 24, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a separator plate, a membrane electrode assembly and a fuel cell stack, which are designed for higher voltages. It is provided that in the active region at least one of the cell components contains at least one insulating element which permanently enables different electrical potentials in a cell plane (orthogonal to the stacking direction).

Claims (44)

1. A contoured separator plate for a fuel cell, comprising:

a first distribution area for supplying operating media;

a second distribution area for removing operating media;

an active area arranged between the first and second distribution areas that fluidically connects the first and second distribution areas to each other; and

an insulating element which divides the active area into at least two electrically separate sections,

wherein the insulating element extends between the first and second distribution areas in a first direction transverse to a second direction that extends from the first distribution area to the second distribution area.

2. The separator plate according to claim 1 , wherein the insulating element is integrally bonded into the separator plate, and a flow resistance of operating media through the insulating element is not significantly affected.

3. The separator plate according to claim 1 , wherein the insulating element extends between the two distribution areas longitudinally or transversely.

4. The separator plate according to claim 1 , wherein:

the first distribution area includes a first port for receiving the operating media;

the first distribution area is configured to distribute the operating media from the first port to the active area;

the second distribution area includes a second port for discharging the operating media; and

the second distribution area is configured to distribute the operating media from the active area to the second port.

5. A contoured separator plate for a fuel cell, comprising:

a first distribution area for supplying operating media;

a second distribution area for removing operating media;

an active area arranged between the first and second distribution areas that fluidically connects the first and second distribution areas to each other; and

an insulating element which divides the active area into at least two electrically separate sections,

wherein the insulating element is integrally bonded into the separator plate, and a flow resistance of operating media through the insulating element is not significantly affected, and

Wherein contouring of the separator plate continues on the insulating element.

6. A contoured separator plate for a fuel cell, comprising:

a first distribution area for supplying operating media;

a second distribution area for removing operating media;

an active area arranged between the first and second distribution areas that fluidically connects the first and second distribution areas to each other; and

an insulating element which divides the active area into at least two electrically separate sections,

Wherein the insulating element comprises the same base material as the areas of the separator plate adjacent to the insulating element.

7. A contoured separator plate for a fuel cell, comprising:

a first distribution area for supplying operating media;

a second distribution area for removing operating media;

an active area arranged between the first and second distribution areas that fluidically connects the first and second distribution areas to each other; and

an insulating element which divides the active area into at least two electrically separate sections,

Wherein the separator plate is composed of two plate halves, and each plate half has an insulating element.

8. A contoured separator plate for a fuel cell, comprising:

a first distribution area for supplying operating media;

a second distribution area for removing operating media;

an active area arranged between the first and second distribution areas that fluidically connects the first and second distribution areas to each other; and

an insulating element which divides the active area into at least two electrically separate sections,

Wherein the insulating element extends between the first and second distribution areas in a first direction transverse to a flow direction of the operating media.

9. A contoured separator plate for a fuel cell, comprising:

a first distribution area for supplying operating media;

a second distribution area for removing operating media;

an active area arranged between the first and second distribution areas that fluidically connects the first and second distribution areas to each other; and

an insulating element which divides the active area into at least two electrically separate sections,

Wherein the insulating element extends between the first and second distribution areas in a first direction transverse to an extension direction of the active area.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 3, 2019
From: VOLKSWAGEN AG
To: AUDI AG
Reel/Frame 049349/0944 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 13, 2018
From: SCHOLZ, HANNES, DR; RECKERS, MATTHIAS; LACKENMACHER, LUTZ
To: VOLKSWAGEN AG
Reel/Frame 045189/0867 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2016 125 355 · Dec 22, 2016 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20180183075A1 · Jun 28, 2018