Method for producing bipolar plates

Abstract

A method for producing bipolar plates includes removing scrap material from an electrically conductive plate. The scrap material is created when the plate is cut through to produce a fluid flow opening therein and in which an inlet manifold opening and an outlet manifold opening are located at the ends of the fluid flow opening and in communication therewith.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of producing a fuel cell stack, the method comprising:
 a) providing a Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) having an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte located therebetween;   b) locating a n oxidant flow field plate against the cathode;   c) locating a fuel flow field plate against the anode;   d) locating a separator plate against the oxidant flow field plate; and   e) compressing the plates to produce the fuel cell stack, each of the plates each having been cut through to create a plurality of openings therein and finished, the plates being made from an electrically conductive material.   
     
     
         2 . The method, according to  claim 1 , in which the step of compressing the plates creates a plurality of oxidant flow channels between the oxidant flow field plate and the cathode, and a plurality of fuel flow channels between the fuel flow field late and the anode. 
     
     
         3 . The method, according to  claim 2 , in which the compressed plates are self-sealed. 
     
     
         4 . The method, according to  claim 1 , in which the plates are made from flexible graphite. 
     
     
         5 . The method, according to  claim 1 , in which prior to the compressing step, a gasket is bonded to each of the oxidant fuel field plate and the fuel flow field plate.