Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus – product – and – With pressure equalizing means for liquid immersion operation
Patent
1993-04-01
1994-11-01
Willis, Jr., Prince
Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus, product, and
With pressure equalizing means for liquid immersion operation
429 33, 429 35, 429 36, H01M 804
Patent
active
053606817
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a seal provided between gas-carrying lines and a longitudinal member. More particular the invention relates to a seal for gas-carrying lines of an inorganic material of a yield stress and viscosity at the operating temperature that are sufficiently high to counteract leakage of the glass through the opening as a consequence of its own weight and the pressure gradient and fitted between at least two parts which must be able to move relative to one another and to installations which comprise such seals. The invention relates in particular to seals for applications in electrochemical cells and to electrochemical cells which comprise such seals.
EP-A-0,355,420 discloses a fuel cell incorporating gas-sealing soda lime glass O-rings between members of the cell stack, these permitting the individual members of the fuel cell stack to freely slide with respect to one another during thermal expansion and contraction. The sealing can be obtained by glass O-rings, which are fitted in glass reservoirs. The O-rings are formed of a soda lime glass having a melting point of 900.degree. C. and a working temperature of 1,000.degree. C.
During use of the cell stack according to EP-A-0,355,420 the clearance between several parts to be sealed relative to each other is removed and they are positioned directly on each other wherein the sealing material engages between the sealing faces.
It is not possible in this way to provide a seal which can accommodate axial movement of the part relative to a member at high temperature i.e., a seal which allows for a relatively large displacement between the part and the member.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention aims to provide a seal which can be used between a pipe and a member.
According to the invention this is realized with the seal provided between gas-carrying lines and a longitudinal member, having an axial axis along its length, said lines being introduced in an opening in said member wherein said seal comprises an inorganic insulation material of a yield stress and viscosity at the operating temperature that are sufficiently high to counteract leakage of the inorganic material through the opening as a consequence of its own weight and the pressure gradient and fitted between the line and the member which must be able to move relative to one another wherein at operation temperature the seal is constructed to additionally permit a movement in an axial direction with respect to the axial axis of the longitudinal member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention can be more readily understood from the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a glass seal according to the present invention; and
FIG. 2 shows an enlarged detail view of the circled area in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the seal according to the subject application there is always clearance between the pipe and the member permitting movement of the pipe relative to the member. Furthermore the pipe itself is surrounded by the sealing material while the sealing material is received in a chamber in the member. If such a seal is used in a fuel cell the individual pipes of such a fuel cell can freely slide with respect to one another during thermal expansion or contraction. This move is in the plans of the O-ring. In view of the fact that the glass is in a reservoir it is not surprising that the glass remains in its place. According to the present invention, however the glass is not in a reservoir and the parts move in an axial direction with respect to each other. In such circumstances it is highly surprising that the glass remains in its place.
An advantageous material for use as a seal is a tough silicate glass. More generally, suitable sealing materials are a highly viscous, tough alkali metal silicate glass and/or alkaline earth metal silicate glass and/or boron silicate glass and/or lead silicate glass and/or aluminium silicate glass and/or lithium silicate glass. Materials for which the viscosity is 5.times
REFERENCES:
patent: 4770955 (1988-10-01), Ruhl
patent: 4910100 (1990-03-01), Nakanishi et al.
C. L. Babcock, "Silicate Glass Technology Methods", pp. 222-225, John Wiley and Sons, 1977 (month N/A).
G. W. Morey, "The Properties of Glass", pp. 296-297, Reinhold Publishing Company, 1938 (month N/A).
Jaspers Blandikus C.
Van Dongen Bernardus A. M.
Nuzzolillo M.
Seed Capital Investments (SCT) B.V.
Willis Jr. Prince
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