Membrane electrode assembly incorporating unified encapsulation and electrocoat paint systems incorporating the same

Abstract

A membrane electrode assembly incorporating an encapsulation assembly process that separates the counter-electrode, and the electrocoat medium from contacting the electrode, which is located behind the membrane ion exchange layer. The encapsulation process provides of method of singularly encasing independent components that comprise the membrane electrode assembly, without the assistance of first structures used in enclosure, framing, enclosure sealing or bonding the components in place, individually, and or in groups thereof from the electrocoat medium, while providing an internal chamber within the membrane electrode assembly, for independent fluid circulation. In further embodiments of the invention, electrode membrane cells having an internal fluid routing system, protective guard around the periphery of the encapsulation layer, a membrane support system adjacent to the membrane, a nonconductive barrier, the membrane, the electrode, and membrane inner spacer bonded by the encapsulation material, cells utilizing the encapsulation method of construction and assembly processes providing the final electrode membrane cell assembly.

1 . A system for electro-deposition of paint onto a counter electrode, in which the system incorporates an electro-deposition main tank containing electrically conductive liquid medium consisting of pigment, resins, water, acids, or other; at least one membrane electrode assembly in contact with the above medium, said membrane and electrode assembly including, but not limited to operational components for the membrane electrode cell encapsulated simultaneously to provide a single medium encasing, to provide a sealed chamber between the counter-electrode, internal fluid delivery and return system, and electrical input within said electro-deposition medium, wherein passage of electrical current between said counter-electrode and said membrane electrode cell through said liquid medium causing electro-deposition of said pigments and resins on to the said counter-electrode, while attracting processed released ions to the chamber, relieving necessity of primary frames, first structures, or bonding components including membrane to said structures, while in turn reducing overall dimensions of the membrane electrode assemblies. 
   
   
       2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said electrode is a flat or c shaped electrode. 
   
   
       3 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said membrane electrode structure, including components, electrical contact, and structures are encapsulated by resins simultaneously. 
   
   
       4 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the said membrane electrode structure including operational components, and structures are encapsulated by extrusion simultaneously. 
   
   
       5 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the said membrane electrode structure including components and structures are molded together in unison. 
   
   
       6 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the said membrane structure including components and structures is laminated in multi-layer bonding. 
   
   
       7 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein after encapsulation process, the medium incorporated provides, the integrity of the encapsulated components, the enclosure, the sealing, and strength to a fully encapsulated membrane electrode cell. 
   
   
       8 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein after said encapsulation process the medium seals included structural components simultaneously. 
   
   
       9 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein after said encapsulation process the medium provides, said internal space between the membrane and electrode for fluid passage. 
   
   
       10 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein within the encapsulation medium a provision for at least one opening to direct fluid into the chamber. 
   
   
       11 . A system according the  claim 10 , wherein the fluid leaves the channel in at least one port. 
   
   
       12 . A system according to clam  1 , wherein the encapsulation process provides at least one opening for said fluid to exhaust the chamber. 
   
   
       13 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the encapsulation process provides at least one membrane support structure. 
   
   
       14 . A system according to  claim 13 , wherein membrane support structures are electrically non conductive. 
   
   
       15 . Systems according to  claim 13 , wherein the membrane support structures are porous. 
   
   
       16 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein encapsulation process provides electrical insulation of the chamber using a barrier sheet of non-conductive material. 
   
   
       17 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein an edge-guard can be applied around the perimeter of the encapsulation to protect it from impact. 
   
   
       18 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the said membrane is an ion-selective membrane. 
   
   
       19 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the membrane is non-ion selective. 
   
   
       20 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the said electrode is formed from conductive material. 
   
   
       21 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the assembly process can provide an ultra slim profile of an electrode membrane cell.