End plate for fuel cell, has plate positioned and mounted inside chamber, in sealed manner on wall of chamber and including recirculation orifices to ensure circulation of coolant towards orifices in inner side of structural block

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention concerns an improved end plate for fuel cells that integrates critical fluid (gas and coolant) management components directly into the end plates themselves. The end plate features internal manifolds and recirculation channels to manage and direct coolant flow within the fuel cell, improving compactness, reliability, and ease of installation. This design helps reduce external piping and fittings and can house elements like pumps, valves, and filters, thus streamlining the overall fuel cell system.

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

• Automotive fuel cell systems in electric and hydrogen vehicles
• Portable fuel cell power sources for mobile or backup applications
• Stationary fuel cell installations for home or industrial energy supply
• Fuel cell powered drones or unmanned vehicles
• Marine or rail fuel cell propulsion systems

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Reduces the overall size and complexity of fuel cell installations by integrating fluid management into the end plates.
• Minimizes external connections, joints, and piping, which increases system reliability and decreases the likelihood of leaks.
• Facilitates quicker and more automated assembly, potentially lowering production costs and reducing manufacturing errors.
• Enables modular design for easier installation, maintenance, and replacement of fuel cell units.
• Improves thermal regulation and performance consistency by efficiently managing cooling within the cell stack.
• Helps reduce weight and volume—critical for transportation and mobile applications.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

An end plate has a structural block with an inner side supported on a stack of bipolar plates and ion exchange membranes and a complementary outer side (B11). The inner side has two orifices (P5w, P7w) connected to a coolant circuit located in the cell. The block has a chamber (P1w) forming coolant supplying manifold, delimited by walls of the block and extending between the orifices. A plate (E11w) is positioned and mounted inside the chamber, in a sealed manner on a wall of the chamber and has recirculation orifices to ensure the circulation of a coolant selectively towards the orifices.