US 11,929,524 B2
Separator plate for a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell
Maung Maung Zarli, Singapore (SG); Jogjaman Jap, Singapore (SG); and Hao Shen, Singapore (SG)
Assigned to Spectronik Pte. Ltd., Singapore (SG)
Filed by Spectronik Pte. Ltd., Singapore (SG)
Filed on Apr. 14, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/848,686.
Prior Publication US 2021/0320310 A1, Oct. 14, 2021
Int. Cl. H01M 8/0267 (2016.01); H01M 8/0258 (2016.01); H01M 8/1004 (2016.01); H01M 8/2483 (2016.01); H01M 8/2485 (2016.01); H01M 8/10 (2016.01)
CPC H01M 8/0267 (2013.01) [H01M 8/0258 (2013.01); H01M 8/1004 (2013.01); H01M 8/2483 (2016.02); H01M 8/2485 (2013.01); H01M 2008/1095 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A separator plate suitable for use in a closed-cathode hydrogen proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell, the separator plate comprising a first set of fluid flow channels each extending from an inlet at a first outer edge portion of the separator plate to an outlet at a second outer edge portion or manifold aperture portion of the separator plate, wherein:
the first set of fluid flow channels comprises two or more fluid flow channels, where the two or more fluid flow channels extend across the first outer edge portion; and
an outer edge portion of the separator plate other than the first outer edge portion and the second outer edge portion or manifold aperture portion is configured to form part of an exterior surface of a closed-cathode hydrogen proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell,
wherein the fluid flow channels define a flow field, and the separator plate comprises only one or two of the following (i) to (iii):
(i) an integrated cathode inlet manifold aperture that extends beyond the edge of the flow field;
(ii) an integrated anode inlet manifold aperture that extends beyond the edge of the flow field; and
(iii) an integrated coolant inlet manifold aperture that extends beyond the edge of the flow field; and
wherein the separator plate is adapted to connect to a ducting in an appropriately fluidly sealed manner when the separator plate is placed in a fuel cell stack, wherein the inlets at the first outer edge portion of the separator plate are configured to be in fluid communication with an inner ducting volume of the ducting.