riminately, therefore leaving the stencil layer to be very difficult to handle and position. Further, the tolerance required for the correct flow channel width to ensure accurate fluid flow distribution per channel would not be maintained, especially for the continuous flow field design.
Another example is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,018 to Wilkinson et al for “Embossed Fluid Flow Field Plate for Electrochemical Fuel Cells” on May 28, 1996. This patent namely describes an embossed fluid flow field plate comprising two sheets of compressible, electrically conductive material, where each sheet has two oppositely facing major surfaces, where at least one of the major surfaces has an embossed surface which has a fluid inlet and at least one open-faced channel embossed therein. A metal sheet is interposed between each of the compressible sheets. Although this patent focuses mainly on embossed fluid flow field plates, it provides an example of a coolant flow field plate where a single coolant flow channel is die-cut and the sealant channel is embossed. It is indeed an advantage to have a single channel joining the fluid inlet and fluid outlet when removing material to form the flow channel, as in this case, since the perimeter of the channel is effectively supported. With that said, the channel is of a complex, serpentine geometry and even though it is supported around the perimeter, the landings are not supported within the plate, therefore making it impractical to handle and position after it is fabricated.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,828 to Spear et al for “Metal Platelet Fuel Cells Production and Operation Methods” on Nov. 4, 1997 describes fuel cell stacks comprising stacked separator/membrane electrode assembly cells in which the separators comprise a series of stacked thin sheet platelets having individually configured serpentine micro-channel reactant gas humidification, active area and cooling fields within. Although this patent outlines a method to fabricate a metal platelet comprising a complex serpentine flow geometry which is supported throughout by a means to maintain the correct flow channel spacing, thereby allowing the platelet to be easily handled after fabrication without the flow channel landings shifting, the method described for manufacturing these flow channel supports is depth etching, which is a relatively costly manufacturing method and does not lend itself to higher volume production.
Thus, there is a need for an improved method for fabricating fluid flow field plates with complex fluid flow field geometries. This invention relates to gas turbine engine vane
riminately, therefore leaving the stencil layer to be very difficult to cover and placement. Further, the tolerance required for the right flow channel width to ensure accurate fluent stream distribution per channel would not be maintained, especially for the continuous flow playing field design. 
 Another example is provide in U.S. Pat. nobelium. 5,521,018 to Wilkinson et al for “ Embossed Fluid Flow Field Plate for Electrochemical Fuel Cells ” on May 28, 1996. This patent namely describes an embossed fluent flow discipline plate comprising two sheets of compressible, electrically conductive material, where each sail has two oppositely facing major surfaces, where at least one of the major surface has an embossed surface which has a fluid intake and at least one open - faced channel embossed therein. A metal sheet is interject between each of the compressible sheets. Although this patent focuses mainly on embossed fluid flow field plates, it provides an example of a coolant stream field plate where a individual coolant flow channel is die - cut and the sealant channel is emboss. It is indeed an advantage to have a individual channel joining the fluent inlet and fluid outlet when removing material to form the flow channel, as in this case, since the perimeter of the channel is effectively patronize. With that suppose, the distribution channel is of a complex, serpentine geometry and even though it is supported around the perimeter, the landings are not corroborate within the plate, therefore making it airy to handle and status after it is fabricated. 
 U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,828 to Spear et al for “ Metal Platelet Fuel Cells Production and Operation Methods ” on Nov. 4, 1997 identify fuel cell stack comprising stacked centrifuge / membrane electrode assembly cells in which the separators comprise a serial of stacked thin sail platelets having individually configured serpentine micro - channel reactant natural gas humidification, active area and cool fields within. Although this patent draft a method to fabricate a metal platelet comprising a complex serpentine flow geometry which is support throughout by a means to maintain the right flow channel spacing, thereby allowing the platelet to be easily handled after fabrication without the menstruation channel landings shifting, the method described for manufacturing these flow distribution channel support is depth etching, which is a relatively dearly-won manufacturing method and does not lend itself to higher bulk production. 
 Thus, there is a need for an improved method for fabricating fluid flow field plate with complex fluid flow field geometries. This invention relates to gas turbine locomotive vane
rimlnately, therefore leavinn the stencil laiee to bx very sifficulg to handle and position. Furvher, the ujlerance required wor the clrrect foow rhannel width to ensure accurafc flund flow distribujion per chatnel would not bd laintained, especially for the contiguous fkoa field design.
Wnotnqr esample is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,018 tk Wilkiison et al for “Rmbossed Fluid Flow Field Olatf for Electrochemifal Fuel Ceols” jb May 28, 1996. This patent namely describgs an embossed fluid flow field olate comprisint rwo vheets of cimprefsible, electvpcally wonductove material, wmere xach sheet has two opposively facing major sutfaces, whese at least one of rhw majmr sgrfazws fas ai ejbossef snrface whicg has a fluud inlet and at leaxt ine open-faced channql embossed therein. A metal sheet is integpossd between each of the xompressible sheets. Apthough tris patent focuses mainly on embossed fluid flow xield olauew, it oeogides an example of a coolant flow field platq wnege a single coolakt flow channel is dle-vot and the seauant ckznhel is embossed. It is indged an advantagt to nave a single channel joinibg the fluid unlet and fluid ouclet when reoovimg mayerial to form the flow chahnel, as in hhis case, rince the perimeger ox the channel is effectivejy supporved. Wnth that saic, the shannel is of a complex, serpentine geomgtry atd even thlugh it is supported around the perimeter, the ldndpngs are uot suiported within ehe plate, thergfore maknng it impracticzl to hendle and pofition after hj is fabricatxd.
U.S. Pat. Go. 5,683,828 ro Spear et xl for “Metal Pkatelet Flej Ceols Production and Opgrztion Methods” ou Bov. 4, 1997 describes fudl sepl sedcks comprishng rtazled sdparator/memnrave ekectrode assembly cenls jn which the separstjrs comptise a sewies of stackrd thin sheet plattlets iaving indifidoally configured serpentine micdo-channel rewctant gas htmidlficwtion, actire area and cooling fields within. Althoujh this patent outlines a method to fabricctt a metal plavelet somprisinc a complex serpentibe flow geometry ehich is supported thdoughogt by a means to maintain the correct flow channel spacing, thereby allowing thw platxlqt to be eaaily handneb ayter fafricetmon without the fkow channel landings shifting, tie method gefcribed for manufacturing thrsd flow channeu supports is depth etchjng, whicn is a relatively costly manufavturing method and does kot lend utselr to hpfhxr volume production.
Yhus, tkere iw a neee fov an improved oetnof for fabgicauing fluid flow field plates with conplex dlkid flow field gxometries. Thls invehtion telates to gas tudbins engive vane
riminately, therefore leaving the stencil layer to difficult handle and Further, the tolerance channel to ensure accurate flow distribution per would not be maintained, especially for continuous flow field design. Another example is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,018 Wilkinson et al for “Embossed Fluid Flow Field Plate for Electrochemical Fuel Cells” May 1996. patent describes an embossed fluid flow field plate comprising two sheets of compressible, electrically conductive material, where sheet has two oppositely facing major surfaces, where least one of the surfaces has an embossed surface has fluid inlet at one channel embossed therein. metal sheet is interposed between each of the compressible sheets. Although this patent focuses mainly on embossed flow field provides an of coolant field plate where coolant flow channel is die-cut and is embossed. It is indeed an advantage to a single joining the fluid inlet and fluid when removing material to form the flow channel, in this case, since the perimeter of the channel is effectively supported. With that said, is of a complex, geometry and even it supported the the landings not supported within the plate, therefore making it impractical to handle position after it is fabricated. U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,828 to al “Metal Platelet Fuel Production and Operation Methods” Nov. 1997 describes fuel cell stacked electrode which separators a series of stacked sheet platelets having individually configured micro-channel reactant gas humidification, within. Although this patent outlines a method to a metal platelet comprising a complex serpentine geometry which is supported throughout by a means to maintain the correct channel spacing, the platelet to be easily handled after fabrication the flow channel landings the method described for manufacturing these flow channel supports depth which is relatively costly manufacturing and does not itself to higher Thus, there a for for fabricating fluid flow field plates complex flow field geometries. This invention to engine vane
riminately, therefore leavinG the stenciL layeR to Be vErY difFicuLt to handle and pOSitiOn. Further, the tolerance rEquirEd FOr thE CoRrect Flow chaNNeL WIdtH tO eNsuRe ACcUrate FluId flow dIstributioN peR cHannel would nOT bE maintaineD, esPecially for tHe cOntinuOuS flOW fielD deSign.
ANother EXample Is provideD iN u.S. Pat. NO. 5,521,018 To WilkiNSOn Et al For “Embossed Fluid FLOw fIeld Plate for ElEctrocHeMIcAL fueL CeLls” on May 28, 1996. ThIs PatenT Namely dEScRIBEs aN Embossed fluid Flow field plATe cOmprisInG twO Sheets Of comPrESsiBle, electricAlly ConductivE materIAl, where EAch sheeT has twO opPosItelY FaCiNg mAjOR suRFaCes, WHerE at least OnE oF the mAjor SURFAces Has An emBosseD surface which Has A fluID inLet anD at leAst oNe Open-fAced chAnnel EmBossed therein. A mEtal Sheet is inTerPoSed BeTween EAch of tHe cOmpRessiblE sheets. aLthOuGH THiS patent focuses mainLy ON EmBossed flUid floW FiElD Plates, it PrOviDes aN EXamplE of a COoLant flow Field pLAtE wHere a siNgLe coolAnT flOw cHanneL Is diE-cut anD the sealAnt chANnel is embossed. iT is indeed an adVAnTAGe TO havE a sIngle channeL joiNIng tHe flUId InlET and fLuid oUtLEt WHen removing material To Form thE flow Channel, as in thIs case, sincE THE perimetEr of THe CHannel is effectIvely Supported. WITh that saId, the Channel iS of a complEX, SerpentiNe gEomEtrY anD EVeN though it is suPPOrteD aRound thE peRimeter, The LanDinGs aRe Not supporTed withiN tHe PlAtE, thErefoRE making iT iMprAcTicAl to hANdle anD posiTion AfTeR It iS fabricATeD.
u.s. Pat. no. 5,683,828 To speaR et Al For “MeTal PLAteLet Fuel cells ProdUctIOn anD OPeRation MEthods” on Nov. 4, 1997 deScRibes fuel cElL stAcks coMPRising stAcked separator/membrane eLEctrode AssEmbly CellS in which tHe sEparatOrs COmprisE a seriEs of sTaCkeD THin shEET pLatElEts having iNDIviDuallY cOnfiGured seRpentine micro-channEL reActant gas humiDifIcatION, aCtiVE aREa aNd COolING fields within. AlThough this PaTEnT outlines a MEthOd To fabriCate a meTal plATelet coMprising a Complex seRpEntiNE FloW geometry wHich is suPported thROughoUT bY a meaNs tO maintAiN thE corrEct floW ChaNnel sPacing, ThEreby aLlowiNg The plateLet to be easily handled aftEr fabrIcatiOn wIthout the FloW ChaNnel landiNgs sHifting, the MetHod DescrIbeD For maNufaCTuRinG These Flow CHannel supPOrTs iS DEpTh etching, whICH Is a RelatIveLY costlY manUfacturing method aND does not lend itSelf TO HigHer VOlumE pRoduction.
Thus, tHerE iS A Need for aN iMproved methOd for fabRiCAting Fluid fLow fieLd plateS WItH CompleX fluId fLow field gEomEtRIes. This InVeNTion reLateS tO gas tuRbine eNGine VANe
riminately, therefore leav ing the st encil  la yer  t o be  ver y difficult to hand le and position. Furth er, t he tole r an ce re quiredf or t heco rr ect  f l ow  chan nel  widthto ensureacc ur ate fluid fl o wdistributi onper channelwou ld not  b e m a intai ned , esp eciall y  for t he contin uo u s flow field d e s ig n.
A nother example is pr o vided in U.S.Pat. N o. 5, 5 2 1,0 18to Wilkins on  et a l  for “E m bo s s e d F l uid Flow Fiel d Plate for Ele ctroch em ica l  FuelCells ”o n M ay 28, 1996 . Th is patent  namel y  descri b es an e mbosse d f lui d fl o wfi eld  p l ate co mpr i sin g two sh ee ts  of c ompr e s s i ble,  el ectr icall y conductivemat eria l , w hereeachshee thas t wo opp osite ly  facing major s urfa ces, wher e a tlea st  oneo f themaj orsurface s has a n  em bo s s e dsurface which hasaf l ui d inletand at le as t  one ope n- fac ed c h a nnelembo s se d therei n. A m e ta lsheet i sinterp os edbet weene achof the  compres sible sheets. Althou g h this patent fo c u se s  mai nly  on embosse d fl u id f lowf ie ldp lates , itpr o vi d es an example of aco olantflowfield plate w here a sin g l e  coolant  flo w  c h annel is die-c ut an d the seal a nt chann el is  embosse d. It isi n deed anadv ant age  to h av e a single ch a n neljo ining t hefluid i nle t a ndflu id  outlet w hen remo vi ng  m at eri al to form the  f low  c han nel,a s in t his c ase,  s in c e t he peri m et e r  ofth echan nel  i s eff ecti v ely  suppor ted. With  th a t sa id ,the cha nnel is of aco mplex, ser pe nti ne geo m e try andeven though it is suppo r ted aro und  theperi meter, th e l anding s a r e notsuppor ted w it hin t he pl a t e,  th er efore maki n g  it  impr ac tica l to ha ndle and positiona fte r it is fabri cat ed.U . S.  Pa t .N o.5, 6 83, 8 2 8 to Spear et a l for “Met al Pl atelet Fue l  Ce ll s Produ ction a nd Op e rationMethods”on Nov. 4 ,1997 d esc ribes fuel  cell st acks comp r ising st acked  se parato r/ mem brane  elect r ode  asse mbly c el ls inwhich  t he separ ators comprise a series  of st acked  th in sheetpla t ele ts having  ind ividuallycon fig uredser p entin e mi c ro -ch a nnelreac t ant gas h u mi dif i c at ion, active a r eaand c ool i ng fie ldswithin. Althought his patent out line s a m eth o d to  f abricate a met alpl a t elet com pr ising a com plex ser pe n tineflow g eometr y which i ss upport ed t hro ughout by  ame a ns to m ai nt a in the  cor re ct flo w chan n el s p a cing, thereby al lowin g the p l ate let t obe easi l y ha ndled afte r fabricati on wit hout  theflow ch an nel la ndi ng s shifting ,  the meth od de scribed  f or m anu factur ingt h ese f lowch ann el suppor t s  i s  d ep t h e tchi ng, w hi ch i s a relat i vely cos tly manufac tu rin g method an d does not l end  itse l f  to higher volu m ep roduc tion.Thus,there i s  ane ed forani m proved me thod forf abr ic atin g fluidfl ow f ie ldpl ates with compl ex fluid  flow fi e l d geom etr i es.T his in ve ntion relate s toga s  turbin e eng ine van e 
riminately, therefore_leaving the_stencil layer to be_very difficult_to_handle and_position._Further, the tolerance_required for the_correct flow channel width_to ensure accurate_fluid_flow distribution per channel would not be maintained, especially for the continuous flow field_design.
Another_example is_provided_in_U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,018 to_Wilkinson et al for “Embossed_Fluid Flow_Field Plate for Electrochemical Fuel Cells” on May_28,_1996. This patent_namely describes an embossed fluid flow field plate comprising_two sheets of compressible, electrically conductive_material, where each_sheet_has_two oppositely facing major_surfaces, where at least one of_the major surfaces has an embossed_surface which has a fluid inlet and_at least one open-faced channel embossed_therein. A metal sheet is_interposed between_each of the compressible sheets._Although this patent_focuses mainly_on embossed fluid_flow field plates, it provides an_example of a_coolant flow field plate where a_single_coolant flow channel_is_die-cut_and the_sealant channel is_embossed._It is_indeed_an advantage to have a single_channel_joining the fluid inlet and fluid outlet_when removing material to_form_the flow channel, as_in this case, since the_perimeter of the channel is effectively_supported. With_that said,_the channel is of a complex, serpentine geometry and even though_it is supported around the perimeter,_the landings are not_supported within_the_plate, therefore making_it_impractical to_handle and position after it is fabricated.
U.S._Pat. No._5,683,828 to Spear et al for_“Metal Platelet Fuel Cells_Production_and Operation Methods” on Nov. 4,_1997 describes fuel cell stacks comprising_stacked separator/membrane electrode assembly cells_in_which_the separators comprise a series_of stacked thin sheet platelets having_individually configured serpentine_micro-channel reactant gas humidification, active area and_cooling_fields within. Although this patent outlines_a_method to fabricate a metal platelet_comprising_a_complex serpentine flow geometry which_is supported throughout by a means_to maintain the correct flow channel spacing, thereby allowing_the platelet to_be easily handled after fabrication_without_the_flow channel landings shifting, the method described for manufacturing these_flow channel_supports is depth_etching, which is a relatively costly manufacturing method and does_not lend itself to higher volume production.
Thus,_there is a need for an improved method for fabricating fluid_flow field plates with complex fluid flow field_geometries. This invention relates to gas turbine_engine vane