Separator plate and electrochemical system

Abstract

A separator plate for an electrochemical system has two metal individual plates. The plates have passage openings for operating media and possibly coolant, and distribution structures. The distribution structures are formed in the metal individual plates and which each communicate with at least two of the passage openings. A peripherally extending sealing structure is formed in each of the metal individual plates at least peripherally around the electrochemically active region and at a distance therefrom and/or peripherally around at least one of the passage openings and at a distance from the edge thereof. The cross-section of the sealing structure has a bead roof, two bead flanks, and at least in some segments, two bead feet. At least in the region of the bead roof of the sealing structure at least in some segments, the sealing structure extends sinuously with at least two wave periods having convex and concave segments.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A separator plate for an electrochemical system, comprising:
 two metallic individual plates,   wherein the metallic individual plates comprise through-openings at least for operating media, as well as distribution structures which are formed into the individual metallic plates and which each communicate with at least two of the through-openings,   wherein a peripheral sealing structure is formed into each of the metallic individual plates at least peripherally around at least one of (1) the electrochemically active region and distanced from this and (2) peripherally around at least one of the through-openings and distanced from the edge of these through openings, the cross section of said sealing structure comprising a bead roof, two bead flanks and, at least in sections, two bead feet, wherein the sealing structure at least in the region of its bead roof extends, at least in sections, in a wave-like manner with at least two wave periods with convex and concave sections, so that upper inner and outer radii form at the transition from bead roof to the bead flanks and lower inner and outer radii form at the bead feet, weld connections are sectionally provided between the two metallic individual plates of the separator plate, at least at one side adjacent to the bead feet at least along the region in which the bead roof extends in a wave-like manner, wherein in each case the weld connections extend in the region adjacent to a convex region of the wave course and concentrically to the bead foot of the convex region.   
     
     
         19 . The separator plate according to  claim 18 , wherein the weld connections each extend over at least 1/9 of the wavelength λ, and maximally over the complete convex section. 
     
     
         20 . The separator plate according to  claim 18 , wherein the sealing structure comprises a coating at least in the region of the bead roof. 
     
     
         21 . The separator plate according to  claim 20 , wherein the coating comprises FPM (fluorocarbon rubber), silicone rubber or NBR rubber (acrylonitrile butadiene), PUR (polyurethane), NR (natural rubber), FFKM (perfluoroelastomeric compounds), SBR (styrene butadiene rubber), BR (butyl rubber), FVSQ (fluorosilicone), CSM (chlorosulphonated polyethylene), silicon resin, epoxy resin or mixtures of the above-mentioned substances or contact adhesive or a physically setting adhesive.