Apparatus and method for maintaining compression of the active area in an electrochemical cell

摘要

An electrochemical cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a proton exchange membrane disposed between and in intimate contact with the electrodes, a pressure pad disposed in electrical communication with the first electrode, and a pressure distributor disposed adjacent to the pressure pad. The pressure pad may be an electrically conductive sheet and an elastomeric material disposed at the electrically conductive sheet. The pressure distributor may be a screen mesh. A method of distributing a load on a pressure pad includes disposing a screen mesh at an elastomeric material of the pressure pad and pressing the screen mesh into the elastomeric material.