SEALING UNIT OF FUEL ELEMENT Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: electrical engineering, specifically, sealing units for fuel elements with proton-conducting polymer electrolyte. SUBSTANCE: in correspondence with invention sealing unit includes proton- conducting polymer membrane perforated over outline and installed between two semigaskets produced from elastic material. Alternating holes and puckers are made over internal outline of semi-gaskets in zone of membrane sealing. Membrane is put on puckers of one semi-gasket, then second semi-gasket is linked to first one. Puckers of one semi- gasket enter holes in another semi-gasket and vice versa. To raise sealing reliability there is proposed ultrasonic welding of membrane to semi-gaskets or usage of polymerizing or non-hardening sealing compounds. Unit sealing semi-gaskets to bipolar cooling chambers is based on protrusions made in semi-gaskets over their external and internal outlines as well as over surfaces located between collector-forming holes. EFFECT: raised sealing reliability. 4 cl, 2 dwg