Fuel Cell Connector and Method of Using the Same

Abstract

The present invention involves an electrically-conductive fuel cell electrode connector, the connector including an opening and a slot, the slot connecting an interrupted external edge of the connector to the opening to delimit a first flap and a second flap of the connector. A method of using the connector comprising a step of deforming the connector to be able to insert a module of unit cells into the connector opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A module comprising a strip of fuel cells each having an upper electrode and a lower electrode, an upper electrode of a cell being electrically connected to a lower electrode of an adjacent cell by a connector comprising:
 a base;   two arms extending in a same direction from two external edges of the base, the spacing between the two arms being greater than or equal to the width of the strip,   two flaps extending towards each other from ends of the arms opposed to their connection with the base.   
     
     
         2 . The module of  claim 1 , wherein the two flaps are applied on an upper or lower electrode, and the base is applied on an upper or lower electrode. 
     
     
         3 . The module of  claim 1 , wherein the strip is coated with an adhesive insulating material on the periphery of the electrodes. 
     
     
         4 . The module of  claim 3 , wherein the insulator is a polymer of thermoplastic elastomer type. 
     
     
         5 . The module of  claim 3 , wherein the insulator is a styrene-butadiene-styrene polymer. 
     
     
         6 . A connector of electrodes of a strip of fuel cells each having an upper electrode and a lower electrode, an upper electrode of a cell being electrically connected to a lower electrode of an adjacent cell by the connector, the connecter being formed from a plate of a porous, deformable, and electrically-conductive felt, comprising:
 a base;   two arms extending in a same direction from two external edges of the base,   two flaps extending towards each other from ends of the arms opposed to their connection with the base.   
     
     
         7 . The connector of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second flaps form a first contact element, and the base forms a second contact element. 
     
     
         8 . The connector of  claim 6 , wherein the felt comprises metal fibers. 
     
     
         9 . The connector of  claim 6 , wherein the felt plate has a thickness in the range from 20 μm to 5 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The connector of  claim 9 , wherein the felt plate has a thickness in the range from 50 μm to 150 μm. 
     
     
         11 . A fuel cell having an upper electrode and a lower electrode, an upper electrode of a cell being electrically connected to a lower electrode of an adjacent cell by a connector formed from a plate of a porous, deformable, and electrically-conductive felt, comprising:
 a base;   two arms extending in a same direction from two external edges of the base,   two flaps extending towards each other from ends of the arms opposed to their connection with the base.   
     
     
         12 . The fuel cell of  claim 11 , wherein the two flaps are applied on an upper or lower electrode, and the base is applied on an upper or lower electrode. 
     
     
         13 . The fuel cell of  claim 11 , wherein the strip is coated with an adhesive insulating material on the periphery of the electrodes. 
     
     
         14 . The fuel cell of  claim 13 , wherein the insulator is a polymer of thermoplastic elastomer type. 
     
     
         15 . The fuel cell of  claim 13 , wherein the insulator is a styrene-butadiene-styrene polymer. 
     
     
         16 . A method of interconnecting unit cells of a module comprising a strip of fuel cells, each having an upper electrode and a lower electrode, comprising the steps of:
 arranging, on two opposite surfaces of the strip, a layer of an insulating material of thermoplastic elastomer polymer type to leave the electrodes accessible;   providing the connector having a base, two arms extending in a same direction from two external edges of the base, and two flaps extending towards each other from ends of the arms opposed to their connection with the base wherein the spacing between the two arms is greater than or equal to the strip width;   introducing the module between the two arms of the connector, to bring an electrode of a cell in contact with the base and an opposite electrode of an adjacent cell in contact with the two flaps of the connector; and   exerting a pressure perpendicularly to the membrane on opposite surfaces of said module to have the base and the two flaps of the connector adhere to the insulating film.   
     
     
         17 . The interconnection method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of exerting a pressure includes a heat input. 
     
     
         18 . The interconnection method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of introducing the module into the connector comprises the steps of:
 spacing apart the two arms of the connector;   introducing the module between the two arms;   bringing the two arms back together;   applying at least a portion of the first and/or second flaps of the connector on a first electrode located on a surface of the module; and   applying at least a portion of the base of the connector on an opposite adjacent electrode of the module.   
     
     
         19 . The interconnection method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of exerting a pressure includes a heat input. 
     
     
         20 . The interconnection method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of introducing the module into the connector comprises the steps of:
 spacing apart the two arms of the connector;   introducing the module between the two arms;   bringing the two arms back together;   applying at least a portion of the first and/or second flaps of the connector on a first electrode located on a surface of the module; and   applying at least a portion of the base of the connector on an opposite adjacent electrode of the module.