FUEL CELL STACK SEALING METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEMS

摘要

Methods, apparatus, and systems for improving and/or simplifying one or more seals in a fuel cell stack, such as a vehicle fuel cell stack. In some implementations, a plate or assembly for the stack may be extruded through an extrusion die so as to create a plate comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of cavities disposed between the top and bottom surfaces. At least a subset of the cavities may be filled with a cavity-filler material distinct from a material used to form the plate, such as a foam material. One or more headers, such as grommet seals, may then be overmolded into the plate to form corresponding conduits between the top surface and the bottom surface of the plate/assembly.

主权项

1. A method for manufacturing a fuel cell stack plate, the method comprising the steps of:
extruding a plate through an extrusion die so as to create a plate comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of cavities disposed between the top and bottom surfaces; filling at least a subset of the cavities with a cavity filler material distinct from a material used to form the plate; and overmolding at least one header into the plate, wherein the at least one header forms a conduit between the top surface and the bottom surface.