Composite end cell thermal barrier with an electrically conducting layer

摘要

A barrier layer for a fuel cell assembly is disclosed, the barrier layer having a thermally insulating layer having a first surface and a second surface, and an electrically conducting layer formed on the first surface of the thermally insulating layer. The thermally insulating layer may include a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, and the electrically conducting layer may be formed on a second surface of the thermally insulating layer and on the walls of the thermally insulating layer forming the apertures.

主权项

1. A fuel cell assembly comprising:
a plurality of fuel cells arranged in a stack, wherein a first fuel cell is disposed at a first end of the stack of said fuel cells and includes a first stack end plate, and a second fuel cell is disposed at a second end of the stack of said fuel cells and includes a second stack end plate; a first terminal plate disposed at the first end of the stack of said fuel cells; a second terminal plate disposed at the second end of the stack of said fuel cells; a thermally insulating layer disposed between the first stack end plate and said first terminal plate, said thermally insulating layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface defining a thickness of said thermally insulating layer, wherein a plurality of apertures is formed through the thickness of said thermally insulating layer, wherein said thermally insulating layer includes a plurality of protuberances formed on the first surface thereof; and an electrically conducting layer formed on the first surface and the second surface of said thermally insulating layer, wherein a plurality of protuberances is formed on the second surface of said thermally insulating layer, each of the protuberances on the first surface cooperating with a corresponding one of the protuberances on the second surface to form a plurality of columns.