FUEL CELL ASSEMBLY

1,159,485. Fuel cell elements. UNITED AIRCRAFT CORP. 29 Jan., 1968 [23 Feb., 1967], No. 4455/68. Heading H1B. The electrodes 6, and electrolyte matrix 2 of a fuel cell are constructed as a single unit in which the matrix is surrounded by a frame 16 of the same thickness, each electrode is of substantially the same area dimensions as the matrix and is held against it by a frame 14 which overlaps the edges of the electrode and the frames are stuck together by impregnation with a dielectric binder. The matrix may be asbestos and the electrodes nickel coated with a catalytic mixture of platinum and P.T.F.E. or sintered nickel oxide. The frames may be of a fibrous material, e.g. paper or glass fibre. The binder may be an epoxy-resin. The frames may be joined at 121-177‹ C., 9À84-11À2 kg./cm.2 pressure. In use the elements may be clamped together with double-sided separator units 22 comprising fuel and oxidant reservoirs and having cooling fins 38. The reactants may be hydrogen and air and the electrolyte potassium hydroxide.