Fuel cell interconnects and methods of fabrication

摘要

An interconnect for a fuel cell stack includes a first plurality of ribs extending from a first major surface of the interconnect and defining a first plurality of gas flow channels between the ribs, the ribs extending between a first rib end and a second rib end and having a tapered profile in a vertical dimension, perpendicular to the first major surface of the interconnect, proximate at least one of the first rib end and the second rib end, wherein the ribs comprise a flat upper surface and rounded edges between the flat upper surface and the adjacent gas flow channels, the rounded edges having a first radius of curvature, and wherein the gas flow channels comprise a rounded surface having a second radius of curvature, different from the first radius of curvature.

主权项

1. An interconnect for a fuel cell stack, comprising:
a riser channel opening for a gas extending through the interconnect; a rib area comprising a plurality of ribs defining flow channels between the ribs on a first major surface of the interconnect; a plenum for collecting the gas on the first major surface of the interconnect, wherein the plenum extends at least about 60% around the circumference of the riser channel opening, and the plenum comprises a groove in the first major surface that extends continuously around at least one side of the riser channel opening between the riser channel opening and the plurality of ribs in the rib area; a flat surface surrounding the riser channel on a second major surface of the interconnect, opposite the first major surface, wherein the plenum is sized and shaped to substantially match the flat surface adjacent to the riser channel opening; and a groove formed in the second major surface between an edge of the flat surface and a plurality of ribs extending from the second major surface.