Compliant electrical contacts for fuel cell use

摘要

This invention concerns improvements in fuel cell fabrication. Arrays of independent acting compliant electrical contacts are incorporated within a fuel cell which improve fuel cell Bi Polar Separator Plate (bipolar separator plate) which improve fuel cell operation by creating uniform and intimate electrical contact with the adjacent membrane electrode assembly (Membrane electrode assembly). These compliant electrical contacts provide substantial uniform internal pressure distribution and substantially uniform electrical contact. In one embodiment, the array of compliant electrical contacts are in the form of a plurality of metal springs of various configurations which are electrically and mechanical contacted to a conducting base plate. In another embodiment the array of compliant electrical contacts are in the form of a plurality of small metal pins or rods which are electrically and mechanically contacted to a conducting base plate.