Patent ID: 7402358
Filing Date: 2008-07-22
Classification: C25B,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A bipolar plate for an electrochemical cell having a membrane-electrode-assembly (MEA) and capable of operating at a pressure difference across the MEA of equal to or greater than about 50 pounds-per-square-inch (psi), the bipolar plate comprising: a unitary plate having first and second sides, first and second inlet ports, and first and second outlet ports; a first plurality of flow channels continuously oriented in a first direction at the first side, a first inlet header channel at one end of the first plurality of flow channels and in fluid communication with the first inlet port, and a first outlet header channel at the other end of the first plurality of flow channels and in fluid communication with the first outlet port; and a second plurality of flow channels continuously oriented in a second different direction at the second side, a second inlet header channel at one end of the second plurality of flow channels and in fluid communication with the second inlet port, and a second outlet header channel at the other end of the second plurality of flow channels and in fluid communication with the second outlet port; wherein each of the header channels comprises a support surface sufficient to support the MEA at the operating pressure difference while providing a fluid flow channel from one end of the respective header channel to the other end, and wherein each of said header channels includes third a plurality of channels extending perpendicular to the respective flow channels.