Electrochemical pump

Abstract

In an electrochemical hydrogen pump, an anode separator, an anode diffusion layer, an electrolyte membrane, a cathode diffusion layer and a cathode separator are laminated sequentially, in which the anode separator has a first recess portion that accommodates the anode diffusion layer, and a bottom surface of the first recess portion is a bowl-shaped curved surface having a protruding central portion; the cathode separator has a second recess portion that accommodates the cathode diffusion layer, and a bottom surface of the second recess portion is a bowl-shaped curved surface having a recessed central portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrochemical pump comprising:
 an anode separator, an anode diffusion layer, an electrolyte membrane, a cathode diffusion layer, and a cathode separator laminated sequentially,   wherein the anode separator has a first recess portion that accommodates the anode diffusion layer, and a bottom surface of the first recess portion is a bowl-shaped curved surface having a protruding central portion, and   wherein the cathode separator has a second recess portion that accommodates the cathode diffusion layer, and a bottom surface of the second recess portion is a bowl-shaped curved surface having a recessed central portion.   
     
     
         2 . The electrochemical pump according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first recess portion has a flow path groove through which gas flows, and   wherein the second recess portion has a flow path groove through which gas flows.   
     
     
         3 . The electrochemical pump according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the anode diffusion layer is disposed in the first recess portion in a pressed state, and   wherein the cathode diffusion layer is disposed in the second recess portion in a pressed state.   
     
     
         4 . The electrochemical pump according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein a central portion of the anode diffusion layer protrudes in a bowl shape in a state where no external force is applied, and   wherein the cathode diffusion layer protrudes in a thickness direction, from an outer circumferential portion toward a central portion thereof, and further protrudes in an opposite direction toward the central portion in a bowl shape in a state where no external force is applied.   
     
     
         5 . The electrochemical pump according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein an area of a curved surface of the anode diffusion layer which is in contact with the anode separator is larger than an area of the curved surface of the anode separator before the flow path groove is processed in a state where no external force is applied to the anode diffusion layer, and   wherein an area of a curved surface of the cathode diffusion layer which is in contact with the cathode separator is larger than an area of the curved surface of the cathode separator before the flow path groove is processed in a state where no external force is applied to the cathode diffusion layer.   
     
     
         6 . The electrochemical pump according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein a thickness of the anode diffusion layer or the cathode diffusion layer is increased from an outer circumferential portion to a central portion.   
     
     
         7 . An electrochemical pump comprising:
 an electrolyte membrane;   a pair of plate-shaped diffusion layers disposed to be adjacent to both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane; and   a pair of separators, each including a recess portion that accommodates one of the diffusion layers and pressing the one diffusion layer accommodated in the recess portion toward the electrolyte membrane,   wherein a diameter of the one diffusion layer is smaller than a diameter of the respective recess portion in a state of not being pressed by the respective separator, and is equal to the diameter of the respective recess portion in a state of being pressed by the separator, and   wherein a height of the one diffusion layer in a state of being pressed by the respective separator is lower than a height of the one diffusion layer in a state of not being pressed by the separator.   
     
     
         8 . The electrochemical pump according to  claim 7 ,
 wherein a central portion of the one diffusion layer is thicker than an outer circumferential portion of the one diffusion layer in a state of not being pressed by the respective separator.   
     
     
         9 . The electrochemical pump according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein a side surface of the first recess portion of the anode separator and a side surface of the anode diffusion layer are inclined with respect to a laminating direction at a contact portion between the anode separator and the side surface of the anode diffusion layer, so as to make room on an opposite side to the electrolyte membrane.