Separator for flat-type polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Abstract

A separator for flat-type polymer electrolyte fuel cells comprises a fuel-feed-side separator and an oxygen-feed-side separator, each comprising a collector portion in which n unit conductive substrates (n is an integer of 2 or more), each having a plurality of through-holes, are arrayed in flat configuration via gaps, and a pair of insulating frames which have n openings in alignment with an array position of the unit conductive substrates and are integrated in such a way as to hold the collector portion between them. The back-to-back (n−1) unit conductive substrates of the n unit conductive substrates in one of both separators, as counted from the end of its array direction, and the 2 nd to n th unit conductive substrates of the n unit conductive substrates in another separator, as counted from the end of its array direction are successively joined together by means of (n−1) connecting hinges.

1 . A separator for a flat-type polymer electrolyte fuel cell in which unit cells are arrayed in flat configuration, characterized by comprising:
 a collector portion in which two or more unit conductive substrates, each having a plurality of through-holes, are arrayed in flat configuration via gaps, and an electrical insulating outer frame and a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) side frame that are integrated in such a way as to hold said collector portion therebetween, wherein:   said outer frame comprises a plurality of minuscule openings in regions in alignment with an array position of said unit conductive substrates, and said membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) side frame comprises an opening in alignment with the array position of said unit conductive substrates.   
     
     
         2 . A separator for a flat-type polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 1 , wherein each minuscule opening in said outer frame is larger in size than said through-holes that each unit conductive substrate has. 
     
     
         3 . A separator for a flat-type polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 1 , wherein said outer frame and said membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) side frame are each formed of a resin, a resin/inorganic material composite, a metal having an insulating coating thereon, or ceramics. 
     
     
         4 . A separator for a flat-type polymer electrolyte fuel cell in which unit cells are arrayed in flat configuration, characterized by comprising:
 a collector portion in which two or more unit conductive substrates, each having a plurality of through-holes, are arrayed in flat configuration via gaps, and an electrical insulating outer frame and a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) side frame that are integrated in such a way as to hold said collector portion therebetween, wherein:   said outer frame comprises an opening in alignment with an array position of said unit conductive substrates and a reinforcement provided across said opening, and said membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) side frame comprises an opening in alignment with the array position of said unit conductive substrates.   
     
     
         5 . A separator for a flat-type polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 4 , wherein said reinforcement on said outer frame comprises a plurality of belt-form members. 
     
     
         6 . A separator for a flat-type polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 4 , wherein said outer frame and said membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) side frame are each formed of a resin, a resin/inorganic material composite, a metal having an insulating coating thereon, or ceramics. 
     
     
         7 . A separator for a flat-type polymer electrolyte fuel cell in which unit cells are arrayed in flat configuration, characterized by comprising:
 a collector portion in which two or more unit conductive substrates, each having a plurality of through-holes, are arrayed in flat configuration via gaps, and an electrical insulating outer frame and a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) side frame that are integrated in such a way as to hold said collector portion therebetween, wherein:   said outer frame and said membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) side frame each includes an opening in alignment with an array position of said unit conductive substrates, wherein each unit conductive substrate is configured in such a way as to jut toward said opening in said membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) side frame.   
     
     
         8 . A separator for a flat-type polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 7 , wherein each unit conductive substrate is domed in an extent smaller than an area of the opening in said membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) side frame. 
     
     
         9 . A separator for a flat-type polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 8 , wherein said domed portion is in catenary shape. 
     
     
         10 . A separator for a flat-type polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 7 , wherein each unit conductive substrate is projected in an offset shape with an area smaller than an area of the opening in said membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) side frame. 
     
     
         11 . A separator for a flat-type polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 7 , wherein said outer frame and said membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) side frame are each formed of a resin, a resin/inorganic material composite, a metal having an insulating coating thereon, or ceramics.