Method for Producing an Electrically Insulating Sealing Arrangement for a Fuel Cell Stack and Sealing Arrangement for a Fuel Cell Stack

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This patent describes a method for producing an electrically insulating sealing arrangement used to seal two components of a fuel cell stack from each other. The invention uses a wet-chemical application of a ceramic insulating precursor onto a substrate, which is then sintered to form a dense, electrically insulating, ceramic layer. This layer is then connected, either directly or indirectly, to the fuel cell components, resulting in a seal that is both electrically insulative and gas-tight, with long-term stability even under the demanding operational conditions of fuel cells.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Sealing and electrically insulating layers in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) or other fuel cell stacks.
• Ensuring gas-tight and electrically insulated joints in fuel cell assemblies for automotive, stationary, or portable applications.
• Providing durable connections between metal parts requiring insulation in high temperature electrochemical systems.
• Improving the reliability and lifetime of fuel cell modules in renewable energy systems.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Improves long-term stability, gas-tightness, and electrical insulation for fuel cell stacks.
• Enables cost-effective production through wet-chemical processes like spraying or screen printing.
• Reduces material waste and manufacturing complexity compared to vacuum plasma spray or thick insulation methods.
• Offers adaptability in the choice of materials to match thermal expansion properties, reducing stress and cracking risks.
• Enhances mechanical robustness during thermal cycling, improving durability and safety of fuel cell systems.

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Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing an electrically insulating sealing arrangement for sealing two components (102, 104) of a fuel cell stack off from each other. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: applying a starting material for the insulating layer to a substrate in a wet-chemical process; heating the starting material for the insulating layer to a sinter temperature to produce a sintered, electrically insulating, ceramic insulating layer; directly or indirectly connecting the insulating layer (106) to the components (102, 104) to be sealed from each other. The method according to the invention allows production of a sealing arrangement which has a long-term stability when operating in a fuel cell system, a good gas tightness and good electrical insulation properties.