Applying a seal to a fuel cell component

Abstract

An exemplary method of applying a seal to a fuel cell component includes providing a release layer on one side of a seal. The release layer has reinforcing fibers. Another side of the seal is placed against a selected portion of the fuel cell component. The seal, release layer and fuel cell component are heated. The release layer is then removed after the seal is secured to the fuel cell component.

1 . A fuel cell component, comprising:
 a plate;   a seal positioned against the plate; and   a release layer including reinforcing fibers, the release layer positioned against the seal, the seal encapsulated between the plate and the release layer.   
     
     
         2 . The fuel cell component of  claim 1  wherein the seal includes an elastomer and the release layer includes a polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The fuel cell component of  claim 2  wherein the elastomer includes rubber, the polymer includes polytetrafluoroethylene, the reinforcing fibers include glass, and the plate includes carbon. 
     
     
         4 . The fuel cell component of  claim 2  wherein the elastomer includes rubber, the polymer includes polytetrafluoroethylene, the reinforcing fibers include carbon, and the plate includes carbon. 
     
     
         5 . The fuel cell component of  claim 1  wherein the plate has a first coefficient of thermal expansion and the reinforcing fibers have a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is approximately equal to the first coefficient of thermal expansion. 
     
     
         6 . The fuel cell component of  claim 1  wherein the plate has a first coefficient of thermal expansion and the reinforcing fibers have a second coefficient of thermal expansion that corresponds to the first coefficient of thermal expansion. 
     
     
         7 . The fuel cell component of  claim 1  wherein the plate has a first coefficient of thermal expansion, the reinforcing fibers have a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is approximately equal to the first coefficient of thermal expansion, and the seal has a third coefficient of thermal expansion that is greater than the first and second coefficients of thermal expansion. 
     
     
         8 . The fuel cell component of  claim 1  wherein the plate includes a groove and the seal is positioned at least partially within the groove. 
     
     
         9 . The fuel cell component of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermoplastic bond film positioned between the seal and the plate. 
     
     
         10 . The fuel cell component of  claim 1  wherein the seal includes a looped seal that extends around a peripheral portion of a surface of the plate. 
     
     
         11 . The fuel cell component of  claim 1  wherein the release layer includes fibers arranged in a raised grid pattern. 
     
     
         12 . The fuel cell component of  claim 1  wherein the release layer includes weaved fibers. 
     
     
         13 . The fuel cell component of  claim 1  wherein the release layer includes fibers that are continuous along a length of the release layer. 
     
     
         14 . A system, comprising:
 a first mold portion having a first opening configured to receive a fuel cell plate, the fuel cell plate having a groove;   a second mold portion having a second opening aligned with the groove of the fuel cell plate, the second opening being sized and shaped to provide a release layer that covers a seal in the grove of the fuel cell plate, the second opening being wider than the groove.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein at least a portion of the seal is above the groove. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the release layer includes reinforcing fibers and the first mold portion and the second mold portion are configured to apply heat and pressure to the release layer. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the release layer is in contact with a top surface of the fuel cell plate and with top and side surfaces of the seal. 
     
     
         18 . A system, comprising:
 a fuel cell plate;   a seal positioned against the fuel cell plate; and   a fiber-reinforced release layer positioned against the seal, the fiber-reinforced release layer in contact with top and side surfaces of the seal and in contact with a surface of the fuel cell plate.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the fuel cell plate includes a groove and the seal is positioned at least partially within the groove. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the fiber-reinforced release layer is in direct contact with the top and side surfaces of the seal and in direct contact with the surface of the fuel cell plate.