PEM fuel cell seal design and method for manufacture

摘要

A method for forming variable section thicknesses from a uniformly thick resinous sheet in a PEM fuel cell. A method for forming a seal in a fuel cell includes a step of providing a sheet including a layer of resinous material. A first fold is formed in the sheet. The first fold extends from a substantially planar section of the sheet having a first side section and a second side section opposing the first side section and connected by a top section. A gasket is formed by folding the first fold over towards the planar section to form a compound fold. The compound fold is placed between a first fuel cell component and a second fuel cell component to form the seal therein. A fuel cell incorporating the gasket is also provided.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
providing a substantially planar sheet including a layer of resinous material; forming a first folded sheet from the substantially planar sheet, the first folded sheet having a first fold extending from a substantially planar section of the first folded sheet, the first fold having a first side section and a second side section opposing the first side section, the first side section and the second side section connected by a top section; forming a gasket by folding the first fold over towards the planar section to form a compound fold, the compound fold having the first side section adjacent to the substantially planar section; and placing the compound fold between a first fuel cell component and a second fuel cell component.