Cartridge and method for handling thin film membranes

Abstract

A cartridge and a method for handling thin film membranes using a cartridge are disclosed. The cartridge may be used to handle any thin-film material, but is particularly useful in handling the thin membrane materials used in fabricating Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEA) for fuel cells. In one aspect, the cartridge includes cavities positioned at opposite ends of a frame. The cavities and associated mounting arrangements are adapted to accept spools for dispensing membrane material and drawing it across the frame. The cartridge also includes a removable cover having an aperture through which the membrane material may be accessed and, for example, cut to a desired shape. Aspects also include methods and apparatus for advancing the membrane in the cartridge. Aspects of the present invention provide improved methods and devices that facilitate the handling and assembly of thin film membranes into membrane-containing devices, such as, fuel cells.

1 . A cartridge for handling a thin film membrane, the cartridge comprising: 
 a frame having a first end and a second end;    a first cavity positioned adjacent the first end of the frame comprising a source of the thin film membrane; and    a cover mounted above the frame, the cover having an aperture for providing access to the thin film membrane.    
   
   
       2 . The cartridge as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge further comprises a second cavity positioned adjacent the second end of the frame comprising a depository for the thin film membrane.  
   
   
       3 . The cartridge as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge further comprises a first spool mounted in the first cavity, the first spool adapted to provide the thin film membrane thereon.  
   
   
       4 . The cartridge as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the cartridge further comprises a second spool mounted in the second cavity, the second spool adapted to accept the thin film membrane.  
   
   
       5 . The cartridge as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the frame further comprises an aperture positioned opposite the aperture in the cover.  
   
   
       6 . The cartridge as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the frame aperture is adapted to engage a vacuum table.  
   
   
       7 . The cartridge as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one guide roller positioned between the first end and the second end.  
   
   
       8 . The cartridge as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one wiper assembly positioned between the first end and the second end.  
   
   
       9 . The cartridge as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the thin film membrane comprises a thin film membrane in an acidic solution.  
   
   
       10 . The cartridge as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the cover is pivotally mounted to the frame.  
   
   
       11 . A method for handling thin film membranes using a cartridge, the cartridge comprising: 
 a frame having a first end and a second end;    a first cavity positioned at the first end of the frame comprising a source of the thin film membrane; and    a cover mounted above the frame, the cover having an aperture for providing access to the thin film membrane;    the method comprising:    providing a thin film membrane in the first cavity;    extracting the thin film membrane from the first cavity and positioning the thin film membrane beneath the aperture in the cover; and    handling the thin film membrane via the aperture in the cover.    
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein providing a thin film membrane comprises providing a thin film membrane on a spool mounted in the first cavity.  
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein extracting the thin film from the first cavity comprises drawing the thin film from the spool mounted in the first cavity.  
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the cartridge comprises a second cavity positioned adjacent the second end of the frame, and wherein the method further comprises, after handling, forwarding the thin film membrane to the second cavity.  
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein handling comprises cutting the thin film membrane.  
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein cutting comprises one of die cutting, laser cutting, and water jet cutting.  
   
   
       17 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the thin film membrane comprises a thin film membrane mounted on a backing, and wherein handling comprises removing at least some of the thin film membrane from the backing.  
   
   
       18 . A cartridge for handling thin-film membranes, the cartridge comprising: 
 a frame having a first end and a second end;    a first cavity positioned adjacent the first end of the frame;    a second cavity positioned adjacent the second end of the frame;    a first spool mounted for rotation in the first cavity, the first spool having a thin-film membrane mounted thereon;    a second spool mounted for rotation in the second cavity, the second spool adapted to receive the thin-film membrane; and    a cover mounted above the frame, the cover having an aperture for providing access to the thin film membrane.    
   
   
       19 . The cartridge as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising means for conveying the thin film membrane from the first cavity to the second cavity.  
   
   
       20 . The cartridge as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the means for conveying the thin-film membrane comprises automated means for rotating the second spool.