Title of Invention

MEMBRANE ELECTROCHEMICAL GENERATOR

Abstract This invention relates to a membrane electrochemical generator characterized by improved electrical insulation and reduced volume. The membrane electrochemical generator (100) is fed with gaseous reactants and comprises a multiplicity of reaction cells (101) assembled in a filter press configuration. Each of said reaction cells (101) is delimited by a pair of bipolar sheets (102), formed by a metallic central body (110) integrated in a frame (111) made of polymeric material. The polymeric material may be of thermoplastic or thermosetting type and frame (111) is laid on the metallic central body (110) by moulding.
Full Text MEMBRANE ELECTROCHEMICAL GENERATOR
The present invention relates to a membrane electrochemical generator
characterised by reduced weight, improved electrical insulation to the external
environment and simplified assemblage. Processes of conversion of chemical to
electric energy based on membrane electrochemical generators are known in the art.
One example of prior art membrane electrochemical generator is outlined in figure 1.
The electrochemical generator (1) is formed by a multiplicity of reaction cells (2)
mutually connected in series and assembled according to a filter-press configuration.
Each reaction cell (2) converts the free energy of reaction of a first gaseous reactant
(fuel) with a second gaseous reactant (oxidant) without degrading it completely to
thermal energy, thereby without being subject to the limitations of Camof s cycle. The
fuel is supplied to the anode compartment of the reaction ceil (2) and consists for
example of a mixture containing hydrogen or light alcohols, such as methanol or
ethanol, while the oxidant is supplied to the corresponding cathode compartment and
consists for instance of air or oxygen. The fuel is oxidised in the anode compartment
simultaneously releasing H+ ions, while the oxidant is reduced in the cathode
compartment, consuming H+ ions. An ion-exchange membrane separating the anode
from the cathode compartment allows the continuous flow of H+ ions from the anode
to the cathode compartment while hindering the passage of electrons. The difference
in the electric potential established at the poles of the reaction cell (2) is thereby
maximised.
More in detail, each reaction cell (2) is delimited by a pair of electrically conductive
flat -face bipolar sheets (3) enclosing, proceeding outwards, the ion-exchange
membrane (4); a pair of porous electrodes (5); a pair of current collectors/distributors
(7) realised by means of a reticulated conductive element of the type disclosed in US
5,482,792, electrically connecting the bipolar sheets (3) to the porous electrodes (5)
while simultaneously distributing the gaseous reactants; a pair of sealing gaskets (8)
directed to seal the periphery of the reaction cell (2) to prevent the leakage of the
gaseous reactants towards the external environment. In the bipolar sheets (3) and in
the sealing gaskets (8) of each reaction cell (2), feed openings and discharge
openings are present, not shown in figure 1, in communication with the cell anode
and cathode chamber through distributing channels, also not shown in figure 1. The
distributing channels are preferably obtained within the thickness of the sealing
gaskets (8) and have a comb-like structure. They distribute and collect the gaseous
reactants and the reaction products, the latter optionally mixed with the exhausts, in a
uniform fashion within each reaction cell (2). The bipolar sheets (3) and the sealing
gaskets (8) are also provided with openings for feeding and discharging a cooling
fluid (typically deionised water) with the purpose of maintaining the electrochemical
generator (1) at the required operating temperature. In a filter-press configuration, the
coupling between the aforementioned openings determines the formation of two
longitudinal manifolds directed to feed the gaseous reactants, two longitudinal
manifolds directed to discharge the reaction products optionally mixed with exhausts
and finally of coolant feed and discharge manifolds. Externally to the cell reaction (2)
assembly, two terminal plates (11) are present, delimiting the electrochemical
generator (1) and allowing, in co-operation with other devices such as springs or tie-
rods, to keep the various components under compression ensuring thereby the gas
sealing to the external environment and the longitudinal electric continuity. One of the
two terminal plates (11) is provided with nozzles, not shown in figure 1, for
connecting the aforementioned longitudinal manifolds to the external circuits.
Moreover, both of the terminal plates (11) are provided with suitable holes (also not
shown in figure 1) for housing the tie-rods by means of which the electrochemical
generator (1) is tightened. As shown in figure 2, the electrochemical generator (1) of
the prior art may also comprise a multiplicity of cooling cells (20) interposed between
the reaction cells (2). The cooling cells (20) are similar to the reaction cells (2) except
they do not enclose the electrochemical package composed by the ion-exchange
membrane (4), the porous electrodes (5) and the catalytic layers (6). The cooling
cells (20), deputed to coolant flowing, contain a conductive element equivalent to the
above disclosed collectors (7) and directed in this case to establish the electric
continuity between two adjacent bipolar sheets while increasing the thermal
exchange coefficient.
The electrochemical generator (1) of the prior art, although advantageous under
several aspects, nevertheless is affected by a few drawbacks. Firstly, in order to
decrease the costs and avoid problems of fragility, the electrochemical generator (1)
is preferably assembled with metal bipolar sheets, for instance made of stainless
steel, rather than of graphite or the known polymer-graphite composites. This leads
however to a remarkable weight and complexity, since the generator comprises a
high number of components. The use of a high number of components also entails a
significant amount of seals, and thus a higher risk of leakages besides a difficult
assemblage, be it manual or automated, with high execution times and subject to
inexactness which may have consequences on its correct functioning. Other
disadvantages associated to the structure of the above described electrochemical
generator are given by the lack of electrical insulation to the external environment, by
the contact of metal with fluids, particularly referred to the coolant, taking place within
the longitudinal manifolds and giving rise to possible shunt currents, and finally by the
dispersion of the thermal power produced by the generator to the external
environment.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a membrane electrochemical
generator comprising metal bipolar sheets, overcoming the drawbacks of the prior
art.
For a better understanding of the present invention, some embodiments thereof are
described hereafter, as mere non limiting examples and making reference to the
attached drawings, wherein:
- figure 1 shows an exploded side-view of a first embodiment of a membrane
electrochemical generator according to the prior art;
- figure 2 shows an exploded side-view of a second embodiment of the
membrane electrochemical generator of figure 1;
- figure 3 shows an exploded side-view of an embodiment of a membrane
electrochemical generator according to the invention;
- figure 4 shows a front-view of a component of the electrochemical generator of
figure 3;
- figure 5a shows a view along section A-A of the component of figure 4;
- figure 5b shows a view taken along section B-B of the component of figure 4;
- figure 6 shows a front-view of a further embodiment of a component of the
membrane electrochemical generator of figure 3;
- figure 7 shows a view along section C-C of the component of figure 6;
- figure 8 shows a view along section D-D of the component of figure 7;
- figure 9 shows a view along section C-C of an alternative embodiment of the
component of figure 6;
- figure 10 shows a view along section E-E of the component of figure 9;
- figure 11 shows a front-view of a further embodiment of a component of the
membrane electrochemical generator of figure 3;
- figure 12 represents a section of the component of figure 11 along section F-F;
and
- figure 13 shows a view along section G-G of the component of figure 12.
Figure 3 shows an embodiment of electrochemical generator (100) in accordance
with the invention formed by a multiplicity of reaction cells (101) mutually connected
in series and assembled in a filter-press configuration, with cooling ceils (120)
intercalated thereto, equivalent to the above discussed cooling cells (20) of figure 2,
in a 1:1 ratio to the reaction cells. In other embodiments such ratio may be different,
such as 1:2 or 1:3. Each reaction cell (101) is delimited by a pair of flat-face bipolar
sheets (102), among which are comprised, proceeding outwards, an ion-exchange
membrane (103); a pair of porous electrodes (104); a pair of catalytic layers (105)
deposited at the interface between the membrane (103) and each of the porous
electrodes (104); a pair of current collectors/distributors (106), realised by means of a
reticulated metallic element of the type disclosed in US 5,482,792, electrically
connecting the bipolar sheets (102) to the porous electrodes (104) while
simultaneously distributing the gaseous reactants.
As shown more in detail in figures 4, 5a, 5b, the bipolar sheets (102) are formed by a
central metallic body (110), with dimensions slightly exceeding those of the active
area of the reaction cells (101), integrated in a frame (111) made of polymeric
material (for instance of thermoplastic or thermosetting type). The frame (111) is laid
on the central metallic body (110) by moulding or gluing, optionally of separate
pieces. The frame (111) advantageously takes care of all the functions of the sealing
gasket (8) of the electrochemical generator of the prior art, which may therefore be
omitted.
As shown in figure 4, the frame (111) presents first and second openings (111a1,
111a2) for the passage of the gaseous reactants, respectively fuel and oxidant, first
and second openings (111b1, 111 b2) for the discharge of the reaction products
optionally mixed with exhausts, openings (112) for feeding and discharging a cooling
fluid. The frame (11) is also provided with a multiplicity of holes (150) for housing tie-
rods by means of which the electrochemical generator (100) is tightened.
Furthermore, the frame (111) presents distributing channels (113a, 113b) (figure 5a)
and cooling channels (114) (figure 5b), all obtained within the thickness of the frame
itself. The distributing channels (113a) and (113b) are positioned at the interface with
the central metallic body (110) and put the first and second openings (111a1, 111a2)
(only one of which is shown in figure 5a) and, respectively, the first and second
openings (111b1, 111b2) (only one of which is shown in figure 5a) in direct
communication with the interior of the reaction cell (101) while the cooling channels
(114) put the openings (112) in communication with the interior of the cooling cell
(120). In a filter-press configuration, the coupling between openings (111a1, 111a2)
and openings (111b1, 111 b2) of all the frames (111) determines respectively the
formation of two longitudinal manifolds (115) and two longitudinal manifolds (116),
white the coupling between the openings (112) of all the frames (111) also
determines the formation of relevant manifold, although they are not shown in figure
3 for the sake of simplicity. The two longitudinal manifolds (115), only one of which is
shown in figure 3, are directed to feeding the gaseous reactants, the two longitudinal
manifolds (116), only one of which is shown in figure 3, are directed to withdrawing
the reaction products (water) optionally mixed with exhausts (gaseous inerts and
unconverted fraction of reactants), the manifolds formed by the coupling of openings
(112) are directed to feeding and extracting the cooling fluid.
Externally to the assembly of reaction cells (101), two terminal plates (117) are
present (figure 3), delimiting the electrochemical generator (100). One of the two
terminal plates (117) is provided with nozzles, not shown in figure 3, for the hydraulic
connection of the various longitudinal manifolds to the external circuits. Moreover,
both of the terminal plates (117) are provided with appropriate holes (also not shown
in figure 3) for housing the tie-rods.
In case the cooling cells (120) are interposed in a 1:1 ratio to the reaction cells (101),
as shown in the embodiment of figure 3, the central metallic body (110) of the bipolar
sheets (192) may be provided with a multiplicity of calibrated holes (130a, 130b) with
diameter comprised between 0.1 and 5 mm, as shown in figure 6. Through the
multiplicity of calibrated holes (130a) and (130b), respectively, the gaseous reactants
flow into the reaction cell (101) and the reaction products and exhausts are
withdrawn from the same, as will be illustrated more in detail hereafter, tn a
construction alternative, the calibrated holes (130a) and (130b) have regularly varied
diameters with the purpose of ensuring an equal distribution of gaseous reactants
and withdrawal of products. The holes (130a) and (130b) are respectively positioned
below and above the inner edges of frame (111) on the side opposite to that
containing the distributing channels (131) and (132). The distance of the holes from
the edges of frame (111) is preferably about 1 mm for a better exploitation of the
reaction cell (101) active area.
Making now reference to figure 7, representing a side-view of the bipolar sheet of
figure 6 along section C-C, the frame (111) presents, on the side opposite to cooling j
cell (120), a distributing zone of gaseous reactants (131) in communication with first
and second openings (111a1, 111a2), and a collection zone of the reaction products
and exhausts (132) in communication with first and second openings (111b1, 111b2).
The distributing zone of gaseous reactants (131) and the collection zone of the
reaction products and exhausts (132) are both obtained within the thickness of the
frame (111). On the side opposite to the reaction cell (101), the frame (111) is free of
channels and its thickness on this side may be optimised as a function of the
thickness of the membrane-electrode-collector assembly without further constraints.
The distributing (131) and collection (132) zones are shown in figure 8, representing
a front-view of the section of bipolar sheet (102) of figure 7 along the D-D plane.
Channels (133) and (134) coincide with the alignment of holes (130a) and (130b).
In this case, the electrochemical generator (100) operates as follows: the gaseous
reactants (fuel and oxidant), which are supplied to the electrochemical generator
(100) through the longitudinal manifolds (115), flow to the distributing zone (131).
from here, the gaseous reactants flow across the channel (133) and through the
multiplicity of calibrated holes (130a), and are injected into the reaction cell (101).
The reaction products and exhausts produced therein pass in their turn through the
multiplicity of calibrated holes (130b) and across the channel (134) reaching the
collection zones (132) and the manifolds (116) through which they exit the
electrochemical generator (100).
In an alternative embodiment, the holes (130a) are used for injecting water directly
into the reaction cell instead than for the injection of the gaseous reactants as seen
above. In this case, the injected water plays a double role, namely providing for the
humidification of the gases and the membrane (103) and for the withdrawal of the
heat of reaction upon partially evaporating. The unevaporated water is extracted from
the reaction cell together with the products and exhausts through the collection zone
in communication with a longitudinal discharge manifold. The holes (130b) can
therefore be eliminated. By virtue of the cooling effect produced by the water directly
injected into the reaction cell, the supply of coolant, for instance water, to the cooling
cells (120) is no more required. The cells (120), although maintaining the structure of
figure 3 comprising the element (106), retain the sole function of establishing the
electric contact between the metallic bodies (110) of two adjacent bipolar sheets
(102). Taking figure 6 as reference, the section along the line C-C is represented, as
regards this specific case, in figure 9, wherein the common parts with the previous
figures are indicated with the same reference numbers. For the sake of better
understanding, the section of the bipolar sheet of figure 9 along the line E-E is
represented in figure 10, wherein the development of the channel (135) coinciding
with holes (130a) and permitting the injection of water coming from (112) through the
same is evidenced. The supply of reactant gases and the withdrawal of products and
exhausts takes place, as indicated in figure 5a, through the channels (113a) and
(113b). In this case, the thickness of the gasket (111) on the reaction cell side,
similarly to the case of the embodiment of figure 5a, is limited by the necessity of
housing the channels (113a) and (113b) and cannot be freely optimised as allowed
by the embodiment of figure 7. It is possible to enjoy such advantage again,
simultaneously making use of the effective direct water injection, by means of a
further embodiment of the invention, characterised by resorting to a frame design
encompassing the two concepts of gas distribution and water injection outlined in
figures 7 and 9. Such embodiment is represented in figure 11 as a front-view of
bipolar sheet (102) wherein the common parts with the previous figures are indicated
with the same reference numbers. As it can be seen, the central metallic body (110)
is provided with a double row of holes, respectively 130a for feeding the gaseous
reactants and (136) for injecting water, and with a single row of holes 130b directed
to the withdrawal of reaction products, exhausts and residual water. For the sake of a
better understanding, the section of the frame (111) along the line F-F is represented
in figure 12 showing the section of the distributing channel (135) of the water to be
injected into the reaction cell (101) through the holes (136). A front-view of a further
section of the bipolar sheet along the line G-G of figure 12 is shown in figure 13.
The advantages obtained with the above disclosed invention are the following:
a) reduction in weight of the electrochemical generator according to the
invention: the electrochemical generator made in accordance with the present
invention provides the use of bipolar sheets with a metallic portion having
dimensions slightly superior to those of the reaction cell active area, while the
metallic bipolar sheets of the prior art have dimensions substantially coinciding
with the whole front area of the generator; the esteemed weight reduction due
to this modification is about 30%.
b) reduction in the number of components making up the electrochemical
generator according to the invention: the reduction in the number of
components entails a remarkable advantage in terms of reduction of the time
for the assemblage and of the relevant costs, besides decreasing the
occurrence of errors. For instance, the assemblage of a generator according
to the prior art of figure 2 comprising n reaction cells requires 3 x n gaskets
and 2 x n bipolar plates for a total of 5 x n components (without considering
the components relative to the electrochemical package, which remain
unvaried); making use of the electrochemical generator (100) of the invention
according to the embodiment of figure 3, only 2 x n components are required.
c) reduction in the number of seals: ensuring a leak-free sealing in the
assemblage of a multiplicity of parts made of diverse materials is one of the
main problems to be faced during the construction of generators, and such
problems is not always of straightforward resolution. The assemblage of the
prior art generator of figure 2 with n reaction cells entails 5 x n sealed
surfaces, reduced to 2 x n when bipolar sheets in accordance with the
invention are employed.
d) better alignment and centring of the components: the bipolar sheets in
accordance with the invention allow to improve the component alignment
during the assemblage of the generator since, as mentioned above, the
amount of components is much reduced and the polymer frames are
automatically in the right position, contrarily to what happens with the prior art
technology, wherein the components to assemble are many and the
positioning of the gaskets, which are not secured to the bipolar sheets, is
undoubtedly difficult. Also the centring of the other elements of the
electrochemical generator (current collector/distributor, electrodes and
membrane) is made simpler by the presence of a predisposed seat delimited
by the frame (111).
e) improved external electrical insulation: the bipolar sheets according to the
invention allow to electrically insulating the generator from the external
environment while reducing the dispersion of thermal power.
f) absence of fluid to metal contacts in the feed and discharge manifolds:
another relevant issue when metallic components are used within
electrochemical generators is trying to reduce at most the contact of metals
with fluids (humidified gaseous reactants, coolant) so as to reduce the risks of
corrosion and to suppress the shunt currents. The use of the bipolar sheets
according to the invention allows eliminating the metallic parts both from the
feed and discharge manifolds of the humidified gaseous reactants and from
the feed and discharge manifolds of the coolant since all these ducts are
obtained within the polymer frame.
The production of the bipolar sheets of the invention consisting of a central
metallic body optionally provided with holes for distribution and collection and
integrated with a frame of plastic material incorporating the different openings and
channels may be achieved with one of the methods listed hereafter
- application of leachable elements shaped as the sections of the various
channels to the metallic body, moulding of the plastic material in order to form
the integral frame and leaching with a suitable reactant after optional cooling
in the case of thermoplastic materials or after completion of polymerisation in
the case of thermosetting materials. An adequate teachable material is
aluminium, which is easily dissolved with caustic soda. The plastic material of
the frame must have mechanical characteristics, in particular minimum long-
term deformability at the operative temperature and under the typical operative
compression conditions, suitable for maintaining the passage section of the
various channels substantially unvaried.
- application of preformed element having the shape of the required channels
on the metallic body followed by moulding of the plastic material so as to form
the integral frame, the preformed materials may be made of metal, preferably
stainless steel, or plastics: if the mechanical resilience to compression of the
preformed elements is high, the above constraints of low deformability for the
frame material are overcome.
- pre-forming of the frames, e.g. by moulding, optionally in two sections, each
consisting of a face of said frame and comprising its own channels, and
assemblage with the metallic body by thermal bonding or preferably by gluing
with suitable adhesive, in order to prevent any damage to the section of
passage of the channels. The selection of the frame material is in this case
subjected, besides the constraints of minimum deformability, also to those of
compatibility with the commercial adhesives, among which the thin film
adhesives are preferred.
To improve the adhesion between metallic body and frame material, with an
adhesive optionally interposed, the metallic body is preferably subjected to pre-
treatments such as fine sandblasting and/or chemical attacks, with the aim of
producing a micro-rough and chemically reactive surface. A further measure,
equally directed to impart adhesion between metallic body and frame, may
consist of providing the metallic body with openings in the peripheral zone,
wherein the frame material may penetrate during the moulding step, thereby
establishing a continuity between the two faces of the frame itself.
The above description shall not be understood as limiting the invention, which
may be practised according to different embodiments without departing from the
scopes thereof, and whose extent is solely defined by the appended claims.
In the description and claims of the present application, the word "comprise" and
its variation such as "comprising" and "comprises" are not intended to exclude the
presence of other elements or additional components.
WE CLAIM:
1. Membrane electrochemical generator fed with
gaseous reactants and comprising
a multiplicity of reaction cells and a
multiplicity of cooling cells interposed between said reaction
cells, assembled in a filter-press configuration,
each of said reaction cells being delimited by
bipolar sheets and being provided with metallic reticulated
current collectors/distributorsf
each of said cooling cells being delimited by
bipolar sheets and being provided with a reticulated conductive
element*
said bipolar sheets are formed by a metallic
central body having dimensions slightly exceeding those of the
active area of the reaction cells and being integrated in a frame
made of polymeric material,

said frame being provided with first and second
feed openings for the passage of said gaseous reactants, first
and second discharge openings for the withdrawal of said reaction
products optionally mixed with exhausts and openings for feeding
and extracting a coolant, and said frame containing distributing
and collecting channels for putting the openings in direct
communication with the reaction cells and cooling cells
respectively.
2. Generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
polymeric material is of the thermoplastic typed.
3. Generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
polymeric material is of the thermosetting type.
4. Generator as claimed in any one of the preceding
claims, wherein said frame is integrated with central metallic
body by moulding.

5. Generator as claimed in claim 4, wherein said
metallic central body is previously provided with leachable
elements having the shape of said distributing and collecting
channels and wherein said teachable elements are dissolved with a
reactant after said moulding.
6. Generator as claimed in claim 5, wherein said
leachable elements are made of aluminium and said reactant is
caustic soda.
7. Generator as claimed in claim 4, wherein said
metallic central body is previously provided with performed
elements having the shape of said distributing and collecting
chnnels.
8. Generator as claimed in claim 7, wherein said
performed elements are made of metal or pltmtics.
9. Generator as claimed in claim 8, wherein said
metal is stainless steel.
10. Generator as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 3,
wherein said frame integrated with said metallic central body
consists of two preformed components containing said distributing
and collecting channels.
11. Generator as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of
said two performed components constitutes a face of said frame.
12. Generator as claimed in anyone of claims 10 or 11,
wherein said two components are assembled with each other and
with said metallic central body by thermal bonding or gluing with
an adhesive.
13. Generator as claimed in anyone of claims 4 or 12ยป
wherein said metallic central body has a micro-rough and/or
chemically reactive surface obtained by sandblasting and/or
chemical attack.

14. Generator as claimed in claim 4, wherein said
metallic central body is provided with openings in the peripheral
zone suited to favour the adhesion of said moulded frame.
15. Generator as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 14,
wherein in a filter-press configuration the coupling between said
openings of said frames determines the formation of longitudinal
feed manifolds, wherein the coupling between said discharge
openings determines the formation of longitudinal discharge
manifolds, and wherein the coupling between said openings for
feeding and extracting a coolant determines the formation of
manifolds for circulating said coolant.
16. Generator as claimed in claims 1 to 15, wherein
said frame comprises a multiplicity of holes for housing tie-rods
by means of which the tightening of said electrochemical
generator is accomplished.
17. Generator as claimed in anyone of the preceding
claims, wherein said metallic central body comprises a
multiplicity of said calibrated holes for the passage of said
gaseous reactants and a multiplicity of second calibrated holes
for the discharge of reaction products and optionally exhausts.
18. Generator as claimed in claim 17, wherein said
first calibrated holes are mutually aligned and positioned in
correspondence of said distributing channels of said frame and
wherein said second calibrated holes mutually aligned and
positioned in correspondence of said collecting channels of
said frame.
19. Generator as claimed in anyone of claims 17 or 18,
wherein said first and second calibrated holes are spaced by
about 1 mm from the inner edge of said frame.
20. Generator as claimed in anyone of claims 17-19,
wherein said first calibrated holes have a diameter comprised
between 0.1 and 5 mm.
21. Generator as claimed in anyone of claims 1-17,
wherein said metalic central body comprises a multiplicity of
aligned calibrated holes for injecting water into said reaction
cells* said holes being preferably spaced by about 1 mm from the
inner edge of said frame.
22. Generator as claimed in claim 21, wherein said
aligned calibrated holes are positioned in correspondences of
additional water distributing channels.
23. Generator as claimed in anyone of claims 1-17,
wherein said central body comprises a multiplicity of alinged
calibrated holes for distributing the gaseous reactants, a
multiplicity of aligned calibrated holes for injecting water and
a multiplicity of aligned calibrated holes for withdrawing the
products, the exhausts and the residual injected water, each of
said calibrated holes positioned in correspondence of one of said
distributing or of said collecting channels.
24. Generator as claimed in claim 23* wherein said
aligned calibrated holes for distributing the gaseous reactants
and said aligned calibrated holes for withdrawing the products,
the exhausts and the residual injected water are spaced by about
1 mm from the inner edges of said frame.
This invention relates to a membrane electrochemical
generator fed with gaseous reactants and comprising a
multiplicity of reaction cells and a multiplicity of cooling
cells interposed between said reaction cells, assembled in a
filter-press configuration, each of said reaction cells being
deliminated by bipolar sheets and being provided with metallic
reticulated current collectors/distributors, each of said cooling
cells being delimited by bipolar sheets and being provided with
reticulated conductive element, said bipolar sheets are formed by
a metallic central body having dimensions slightly exceeding
those of the active area of the reaction cells and being
integrated in a frame made of polymeric material, said frame
being provided with first and second feed openings for the
passage of said gaseous reactants, first and second discharge
openings for the withdrawal of said reaction products optionally
mixed with exhausts and openings for feeding and extracting a
coolant, and said frame containing distributing and collecting
channels for putting the openings in direct communication with
the reaction cells and cooling cells respectively.

Documents:

483-kolnp-2005-granted-abstract.pdf

483-kolnp-2005-granted-claims.pdf

483-kolnp-2005-granted-correspondence.pdf

483-kolnp-2005-granted-description (complete).pdf

483-kolnp-2005-granted-drawings.pdf

483-kolnp-2005-granted-examination report.pdf

483-kolnp-2005-granted-form 1.pdf

483-kolnp-2005-granted-form 18.pdf

483-kolnp-2005-granted-form 2.pdf

483-kolnp-2005-granted-form 26.pdf

483-kolnp-2005-granted-form 3.pdf

483-kolnp-2005-granted-form 5.pdf

483-kolnp-2005-granted-letter patent.pdf

483-kolnp-2005-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

483-kolnp-2005-granted-specification.pdf

483-kolnp-2005-granted-translated copy of priority document.pdf


Patent Number 215008
Indian Patent Application Number 483/KOLNP/2005
PG Journal Number 08/2008
Publication Date 22-Feb-2008
Grant Date 20-Feb-2008
Date of Filing 23-Mar-2005
Name of Patentee NUVERA FUEL CELLS EUROPE S.R.L.
Applicant Address VIA BISTOLFI 35 20134 MILAN
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 EDUARDO TRIFONI VIA DONIZETTI 5-I-80127 NAPOLI
PCT International Classification Number H01M 8/24
PCT International Application Number PCT/EP2003/009554
PCT International Filing date 2003-08-28
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 MI2002A 001859 2002-08-28 Italy