Fuel cells with fewer seals

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2001
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 286 KB
• Volume: 2001
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1350-4789
• DOI: 10.1016/s1350-4789(01)80041-6

✦ Synopsis

Our coverage of sealing patents continues with sealing inventions dedicated to solving or easing the problems associated with sealing of fuel cells, automotive engines, filter elements and air-conditioning equipment. The first invention in this issue deals with a Japanese invention from Sanyo Electric which comprises several versions of a fuel cell assembly. This, like the other inventions in this issue, shows how steady development of design leads to easier construction with all the consequent improvements in cost-effectiveness, usage of materials, reliability and lifetime. The second invention concerns an improved multiple gasket made of layers which are selfaligning, to positively secure the gasket layers together and ensure not only better sealing but also easier assembly. In this case welding is the common route, but this can be undesirable. Welding is a time-consuming process that involves specialised tooling, thus increasing manufacturing costs. Dana Corporation's invention proposes to avoid welding and thus