Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and a stamped metal separator. The metal separator is positioned between the membrane electrode assemblies. The separator includes at least one channel on both surfaces of the separator formed by a stamping process. The separator comprises a plurality of holes, each of which form a manifold communicating with each the channels.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes an inlet manifold that communicates with an inlet pipe. The inlet pipe enters the inlet manifold at a port. A baffle is positioned about the port. The baffle captures and directs fuel away from a side of the inlet manifold that will face a cell stack. A fuel cell incorporating such an inlet manifold is also claimed.

Abstract: A fuel cell element including an assembly of a membrane, a first electrode, and a second electrode, and a mechanism holding the assembly together, which forms a peripheral support thereof and that includes an electrical connection and a mechanism for circulation of fluid and for supply of the fluid into the assembly.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack which can achieve a high output voltage even with a reduced number of staked cells using a separator in which two or more reaction areas are connected in an insulated manner. In detail, a fuel cell stack, which employs a separator with a structure in which two or more reaction areas are connected in an insulated manner by means of an insulating material to increase the voltage generated in the fuel cell stack and maintain the current at a low level, in which a gas diffusion layer, a membrane electrode assembly, etc. are sequentially stacked on each reaction area to configure stack modules having two or more reaction areas, and the reaction areas are connected in series to configure a single stack module.

Abstract: A fuel cell (1) includes an electromotive unit (2) having a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) (12), a fuel storage unit (4) storing a liquid fuel, and a fuel supply mechanism (3) supplying the fuel from the fuel storage unit (4) to a fuel electrode (7) of the membrane electrode assembly (12). The membrane electrode assembly (12) has a gas vent hole (17) provided in a manner to penetrate through at least an electrolyte membrane (11) to let a gas component generated on a side of the fuel electrode (7) escape to a side of an air electrode (10).

Abstract: A fuel cell stack is provided that includes unit cells that include a manifold, an open end plate that is disposed at one side of the unit cells and that has a reaction gas inlet and outlet that are connected to the manifold, and a closed end plate that is disposed at the other side of the unit cells and that closes the manifold, In particular, the open end plate includes a first slanted surface that adjusts a flow of a reaction gas at a reaction gas inlet and a manifold interface. A first alignment protrusion forms the first slanted surface and that aligns the unit cells, and the closed end plate includes a second slanted surface that adjusts flow of a reaction gas at the manifold interface. Additionally, a second alignment protrusion forms the second slanted surface and aligns the unit cells accordingly.

Abstract: A fuel distributor assembly for a fuel cell stack that includes an inner shell positioned within an outer shell. The outer shell is curved to define a central longitudinal chamber, a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. The outer shell also has an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface. The first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge in combination define a longitudinal slot. The first longitudinal edge is bent inwardly towards the longitudinal chamber to form a longitudinal lip. The inner shell includes a plurality of ribs extending outwardly and contacting the inner wall surface of the outer shell. The inner shell, the outer shell, the lip, and the ribs define a plurality of flow channels. The inner shell has a length along which a plurality of apertures are positioned in a partial helical pattern. A method of forming the fuel distributor is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a separator for a molten carbonate fuel cell, the separator including four steel sheets in which edges of the four steel sheets are joined to each other thereby providing three spaces therebetween, comprising a cathode channel, serving as a flow path of oxidant gas, formed in the first space; an anode channel, serving as a flow path of fuel gas, formed in the second space such that the anode channel is separated from the cathode channel; and a fuel gas reforming channel formed in the third space, which is located between the first space and the second space. The separator for a molten carbonate fuel cell is advantageous in that the volume of the fuel cell is decreased, and the structure thereof is simple, thus reducing the production cost thereof.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cells each including a first separator, a second separator and a membrane electrode assembly. A first reactant gas manifold of the first separator has an elongated opening extending along a ridge line of a first buffer portion and has an end wall surface that is located at an end of the first reactant gas manifold of the first separator near a middle portion of the first buffer portion and that is a convex curved surface. The convex curved surface and the first buffer portion are connected to each other through a channel that is bent or curved.

Abstract: A conduit assembly for a fuel cell system includes a dielectric tube comprising a first end and a second end, a first metal tube including a first lip coupled to the first end of the dielectric tube, a first dielectric ring coupled to the first lip of the first metal tube, a second metal tube including a second lip coupled to the second end of the dielectric tube, and a second dielectric ring coupled to the second lip of the second metal tube.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes membrane-electrode assemblies and separators that are closely disposed to both sides of the membrane-electrode assembly. Each membrane-electrode assembly includes an electrolyte membrane, an anode electrode that is formed on one surface of the electrolyte membrane, a cathode electrode that is formed on the other surface of the electrolyte membrane, and a protective layer formed at an oxidant inlet region where oxidant is first injected into the respective cathode electrode.

Abstract: A product comprising a fuel cell component comprising a substrate and a coating overlying the substrate, the coating comprising nanoparticles having sizes ranging from 2 to 100 nanometers.

Abstract: A system and method for determining whether valves in a fuel cell system bleed manifold unit (BMU) are blocked with ice or have otherwise failed. The system opens a first bleed valve, closes a second bleed valve and opens an exhaust valve, and then reads a pressure signal to determine whether there is flow through a flow restriction to determine whether the first bleed valve or the exhaust valve is blocked. The system then closes the exhaust valve, leaves the first bleed valve open, and again reads the pressure signal to determine the pressure drop across the flow restriction, which will indicate whether the flow restriction the pressure sensor lines are blocked. The system then closes the first bleed valve and opens the second bleed valve to determine whether the pressure signal indicates a flow through the second bleed valve.

Abstract: The fuel cell base module stacking structure has large compactness, very litte ohmic losses and ease as for implementing the seal of the assembly. It consists of a concentric stack of several fuel cell base cells each consisting on either side of an interconnector (24) sandwiching an anode (21), an electrolyte (22) and a cathode (23), each cell being thereby placed upon each other. The module is completed with two cases for distributing combustible gases. Application to gas fuel cells of the SOFC type.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell including, a stack having fuel channels through which fuel flows and air channels through which air flows, the fuel channels and air channels being located at both sides of a reaction film, an actuator disposed to be involved in the air channels, the actuator allowing external air of the stack to affect the air channels, and a skirt extending from the stack with communicating with the air channels.

Abstract: A Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) system having a hot zone with a center cathode air feed tube for improved reactant distribution, a CPOX reactor attached at the anode feed end of the hot zone with a tail gas combustor at the opposing end for more uniform heat distribution, and a counter-flow heat exchanger for efficient heat retention.

Abstract: A separator includes sandwiching sections for sandwiching electrolyte electrode assemblies. A fuel gas channel and an oxygen-containing gas channel are formed in each of the sandwiching sections. Further, the separator includes first bridges connected to the sandwiching sections and a manifold connected to the first bridges. A fuel gas supply channel is formed in the first bridge for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas channel. A fuel gas supply passage extends through the manifold in the stacking direction for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas supply channel. At the time of starting operation, the heated air is distributed to the oxygen-containing gas channel and the fuel gas channel through a circumferential portion of the electrolyte electrode assembly.

Abstract: A flow battery includes a stack of flow cells, a stack of cell frames supporting the stack of cells, stack level and cell level flow manifolds located in the stack of cell frames, and at least one sealing or shunt current mitigation feature.

Abstract: A fluid distribution insert adapted to be received within an inlet header of a fuel cell assembly is disclosed. The fluid distribution insert includes a hollow insert with a first end and a second end. An inlet is formed at the first end of the hollow insert in fluid communication with a source of a reactant gas and adapted to receive the reactant gas therein. A plurality of outlets is formed intermediate the first end and the second end. A plurality of flow channels is formed in the hollow insert providing fluid communication between the inlet and the outlets to deliver the fluid to a plurality of fuel cells of the fuel cell assembly, wherein a total flow volume and flow resistance of each of the flow channels is substantially the same to provide for a substantially simultaneous delivery of the reactant gas to the fuel cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell module may include a membrane electrode assembly two gas diffusion layers, two current collectors, two sealing members, and a fluid flow plate assembly. The membrane electrode assembly may include at least one membrane for fuel cell reactions, and the two gas diffusion layers may be respectively coupled with the two opposite sides of the membrane electrode assembly. The fluid flow plate assembly is coupled with the membrane electrode assembly at a first side of the two opposite sides of the membrane electrode assembly. At least one of the membrane electrode assembly, the two gas diffusion layers, the two current collectors, and the two sealing members has a non-planar surface prior to an assembly of the membrane electrode assembly, the two gas diffusion layers, the two current collectors, and the two sealing members, and the non-planar surface is at least partially flattened when the assembly occurs.

Abstract: When terminating power generation by a fuel cell 3 in a fuel cell system 1, an amount of a raw fuel material introduced to a reforming catalyst 2a of a reformer 2 is reduced. Here, before the temperature of the reforming catalyst 2a is lowered to the un-reformed gas generation temperature, an amount of water supplied to the reforming catalyst 2a is controlled to increase the temperature of the reforming catalyst 2a. Thus, upon termination of power generation in the fuel cell 3, no un-reformed gas is generated and the reformed gas is supplied to the fuel cell 3.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack is provided having a plurality of unit cells stacked in a horizontal direction. Each unit cell includes an electrolyte membrane having two surfaces and a peripheral edge, electrodes provided on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane, frame-shaped members provided on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane adjacent to the respective electrodes and adjacent the peripheral edge of the electrolyte membrane, separators provided on the electrodes and the frame-shaped members and having a reactant gas passage for supplying a reactant gas to each of the electrodes, and a manifold formed in the stacking direction in fluid communication with the reactant gas passage. The manifold includes a horizontal edge portion in fluid communication with the reactant gas passage.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack includes a plurality of SOFCs, and a plurality of interconnects, each interconnect containing a conductive perovskite layer on an air side of the interconnect. The stack in internally manifolded for fuel and the conductive perovskite layer on each interconnect is not exposed in the fuel inlet riser. The SOFC electrolyte has a smaller roughness in regions adjacent to the fuel inlet and fuel outlet openings in the electrolyte than under the cathode or anode electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell in which an electrolyte electrode assembly having an electrolyte sandwiched between an anode and a cathode is provided between separators, each of the separators including: a sandwiching section which sandwiches an electrolyte electrode assembly and includes a fuel gas channel and a separately provided oxygen-containing gas channel; a bridge which is connected to the sandwiching section and includes a reactant gas supply channel; a reactant gas supply section which is connected to the bridge and includes a reactant gas supply passage; and a connecting section that connects the sandwiching section to the bridge.

Abstract: Provided is a visualization apparatus for a PEMFC using a transparent window. More particularly, provided is a visualization apparatus for a large are PEMFC including: a plurality of visualization apparatuses for region cells including current collector plates each provided on both sides of a membrane electrode assembly of a PEMFC and formed with channels through which reaction gas and products flow and a transparent provided on the outer surface of the current collector plate. Further, provided is a visualization apparatus for a large area PEMFC electrically connecting the current collector plates of the visualization apparatus for region cells to each other in parallel.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with improved fuel cell stack assemblies, and methods of operation of a fuel cell stack assembly, particularly with improved gas flow and thermal management.

Abstract: A separator includes a first flow path-forming portion and second flow path-forming portions. The first portion has a corrugated shape including a first groove to form a flow path for a first fluid on a first surface and a second groove to form a flow path for a second fluid on a second surface, which are arranged alternately. The first portion includes at least three linear areas, and plural turned areas, each including a plurality of the first and the second grooves to connect between corresponding grooves in adjacent linear areas, and thereby forms serpentine flow paths for the second fluid. Each of the second portions forms a connection flow path to connect between the flow paths for the first fluid on the first surface and forms a connection flow path to connect between the flow paths for the second fluid on the second surface.

Abstract: A modular fuel cell system is provided, especially for use in vehicles, with a fuel cell module, which has a stack of a plurality fuel cell elements between a first end plate and a second end plate, with a burner-heat exchanger module, which has a heat exchanger for preheating cathode gas and a burner for reacting fuel cell waste gases. Manufacturing advantages are provided with the first end plate has, on a connection side facing away from the stack, an anode gas inlet opening, a cathode gas inlet opening, an anode waste gas outlet opening and a cathode waste gas outlet opening and if the burner-heat exchanger module has an anode gas outlet opening communicatingly connected to the an anode gas inlet opening, an cathode gas outlet opening communicatingly connected to the an cathode gas inlet opening, an anode waste gas inlet opening communicatingly connected to the an anode waste gas outlet opening and an cathode waste gas inlet opening communicatingly connected to the an cathode waste gas outlet opening.

Abstract: A device for minimizing a buoyancy driven convective flow inside a manifold of a fuel cell stack includes a plurality of spaced apart baffle walls. The spaced apart baffle walls are configured to be disposed inside the manifold of the fuel cell stack. The spaced apart baffle walls increase a viscous resistance to the buoyancy driven convective flow inside the manifold.

Abstract: A current producing cell has anode flow plates 22 and cathode flow plates 20. Each of the flow plates 20, 22 defines a membrane face 26, a collector face 24, and a center axis C perpendicular to the membrane face 26 and the collector face 24. Each of the collector faces 24 define a plurality of cooling channels 74, 76, 78 and a plurality of transport channels 62, 64. The cooling channels 74, 76, 78 of the cathode flow plates 20 extend radially relative to the center axis C thereof to overlap the transport channels 62, 64 of the anode flow plates 22.

Abstract: A plurality of insertion holes for inserting one end of each of a plurality of cells is formed on the surface of a support substrate. One end of each of the cells is loosely fitted in the corresponding insertion hole. A joining material is provided so as to fill at least a gap present between the inner wall of the insertion hole and the outer wall of the one end of the cell in each joining portion between each of the insertion holes and one end of the corresponding cell. As the joining material, crystallized glass which includes a plurality of kinds of crystal phases generated when the crystallization of amorphous glass heated up to a crystallization temperature proceeds is used, and a volume reduction ratio (crystallization shrinkage ratio) of the joining material caused by the crystallization at the crystallization temperature is 0.78% or more and 12% or less.

Abstract: A coolant supply manifold and a coolant discharge manifold are provided on a first end plate of a fuel cell stack. The coolant supply manifold includes a pair of supply manifold sections and a supply coupling section coupling upper portions of the pair of supply manifold sections together. The supply manifold sections are connected to a pair of coolant supply passages of a first end plate. The width of the coupling section is smaller than the width of the pair of supply manifold sections in a longitudinal direction along the long sides of the first end plate. A supply pipe extending to the outside of the first end plate is formed integrally with one of the supply manifold sections.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle-installation structure for a fuel cell with the capability of reducing a pressure drop in a gas flow path in the fuel cell. A vehicle-installation structure for a fuel cell in which: a fuel cell stack with an end of cells in a stacking direction being supported by an end plate is installed in a vehicle so that the stacking direction of the cells extends along a right-left direction of the vehicle; and an off gas of an oxidant gas from the fuel cell stack is exhausted via a diluter from a rear side with respect to the fuel cell stack in a front-rear direction of the vehicle, wherein a junction between a plurality of exhaust manifolds for guiding the off gas of the oxidant gas discharged from the fuel cell stack is arranged on a front side in the end plate in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a fuel cell assembly is disclosed, wherein a means for heating is disposed in a manifold of the fuel cell assembly and the means for heating causes the manifold to be heated to militate against fluid condensation and ice formation in the fuel cell assembly.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack including membrane-electrode assemblies and separators formed between each of the membrane-electrode assemblies is disclosed. The membrane-electrode assemblies may each include an electrolyte membrane, an anode formed on a first surface of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode formed on a second surface of the electrolyte membrane. Each of the separators may include an anode separator facing the anode and a cathode separator facing the cathode. Each of the separators may include at least two manifolds, a channel separated from the manifolds and facing either the anode or the cathode, and a connection channel fluidly connecting the manifold and the channel. The separator may also include a buffer protrusion system in the connection channel configured to disperse the flow of the fuel or the oxidant.

Abstract: An example fuel cell repeater includes a separator plate and a frame establishing at least a portion of a flow path that is operative to communicate fuel to or from at least one fuel cell held by the frame relative to the separator plate. The flow path has a perimeter and any fuel within the perimeter flow across the at least one fuel cell in a first direction. The separator plate, the frame, or both establish at least one conduit positioned outside the flow path perimeter. The conduit is outside of the flow path perimeter and is configured to direct flow in a second, different direction. The conduit is fluidly coupled with the flow path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a unit cell of a metal-supported solid oxide fuel cell in which a manifold is formed integrally with electrodes, and includes a metal support; a first electrode formed on a surface of the metal support; an electrolyte formed on a surface of the first electrode; and a second electrode formed on a surface of the electrolyte and having a polarity opposed to that of the first electrode, wherein the metal support, the first electrode, the electrolyte, and the second electrode are formed with a manifold, a fluid passage. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a unit cell of a metal-supported solid oxide fuel cell, and a stack using the solid oxide fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell having a capability of making uniform a water distribution in an in-plane direction of a polymer electrolyte membrane and supplying a reactive gas to an air electrode catalyst layer efficiently is provided. The fuel cell of the present invention has a polymer electrolyte membrane, a pair of catalyst electrodes, and a pair of metal separators. An air electrode separator has an oxidizing gas flow channel used to supply an oxidizing gas to the catalyst electrodes. The oxidizing gas flow channel is formed in such a manner that a flow channel near an oxidizing gas supply manifold and a flow channel near an oxidizing gas exhaust manifold are adjacent to each other in the same plane, and is formed in an S-shaped or spiral pattern.

Abstract: There is a problem with a conventional fuel cell stack in that the parts count is increased in order to obtain a structure with which vibration of the laminate is controlled.

Abstract: A fluid distribution insert adapted to be received within an inlet header of a fuel cell assembly is disclosed. The fluid distribution insert includes a wedge section having a first end and a second end. The wedge section forms a fluid flow path between a surface forming the inlet header and the wedge section, wherein the fluid flow path receives a fluid therein and delivers the fluid to a plurality of fuel cells of the fuel cell assembly. The wedge section minimizes a cross-sectional area of the fluid flow path adjacent the second end of the wedge section to maintain a substantially constant fluid velocity along a length of the inlet header.

Abstract: A manifold seal for a fuel cell system includes a sealing area defined by a peripheral portion of a fuel cell stack of the fuel cell system and a portion of an end plate positioned on the fuel cell stack. The manifold seal includes a manifold frame defining a mating surface which sealingly engages the sealing area. The manifold seal also includes a bracket defining a base portion and having a lip projecting from an edge thereof. The base portion is moveably secured to a face of the end plate so that the edge is positioned on the sealing area. The lip is moveably engaged in and cooperates with a slot formed in the mating surface to seal a gap between the mating surface and the sealing area caused by movement of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell module structure including a heat exchanger capable of preventing leakage of oxygen containing gas in a flow path and reducing the cost. The module including a power-generating chamber that receives fuel cells and a casing having a generally rectangular shape enclosing the power-generating chamber. Additionally, the right and left side walls and an upper wall of the casing are hollow walls constituted of an outer shell member and an inner shell member disposed parallel to each other with a distance therebetween forming a reaction gas circulation space, the outer and inner shell members are each formed in a U-like cross-sectional shape, and a reaction gas introduction member extends vertically downward from the inner shell member of the upper wall into the power-generating chamber and being communicated with the reaction gas circulation space to introduce a reaction gas into the power-generating chamber.

Abstract: Methods for refurbishing components, such as interconnects of a fuel cell stack, include singulating the stack and removing the electrolyte, seals and oxide layer using non-mechanical methods. The various methods of may be used either singly or in combination.

Abstract: Combustion heaters having internal combustion chambers are located adjacent the end cells of a stack of fuel cells to directly, conductively heat the end cells during cold start-up of the stack. Similar heater(s) may also be located within the stack when cold starting under extremely cold conditions. A method of combustion thawing a fuel cell stack is described.

Abstract: A fuel-cell flow regulator is placed in a fuel cell having two entrances, each of which is formed at one of two sides of the fuel cell. The fuel cell is composed of a plurality of single cells, each of which includes a fuel inlet and a fuel passage in communication with the fuel inlet. The fuel passages jointly define a fuel tunnel in communication with all of the entrances. The flow regulator is located at the fuel tunnel and movable back and forth along the fuel tunnel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sintering and conditioning fuel cell stacks utilizing channel guides, baffles, and internal compression systems are provided. Sintering and conditioning may be performed utilizing a fuel cell column cartridge assembly and fuel cell stacks may be sintered and conditioned at the system level during the same annealing cycle on the same support.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly is disclosed that utilizes a water transport structure extending from fuel cell plates of the assembly into fuel cell assembly manifolds, wherein the water transport structure facilitates the transport of liquid water from the fuel cell plates thereby minimizing the accumulation of liquid water and ice in the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack for generating electrical energy by an electrochemical reaction of a fuel and an oxidizing gas including a plurality of electricity generating units and a fastening member is disclosed. The plurality of electricity generating units are configured for an electrochemical reaction between the fuel and the oxidizing gas to generate electrical energy, and the fastening member combines the plurality of electricity generating units into a stack. Each electricity-generating unit includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and separators that are provided on each side of the MEA. Each separator comprises a channel on a surface facing the MEA. The channel is divided into a multiple of 2 sub-channels that is greater than 2 on a surface of the separator, and the sub-channels have substantially the same fluid passage length.

Abstract: A cell stack with cells adapted to operate as either fuel cells or electrolysis cells comprises cells with a counter-flow of the anode gas relative to the cathode gas on a first part of each cell and a co-flow on a second part of each cell which evens out the temperature profile of the cell and cell stack relative to a co-flow or a counter-flow cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack in which, even if the fuel cell stack is mounted in an inclined position, the performance of system components mounted on an end plate is maintained satisfactory. The fuel cell stack has a cell stack body formed by stacking a plurality of fuel battery single cells, and a pair of end plates for holding the cell stack body from respective sides in the stack direction. System components are mounted on one end plate. One end plate has a stack-facing surface facing the cell stack body and also has a system component mounting surface on the opposite side of the stack-facing surface. The system component mounting surface is inclined relative to the facing surface by an inclination angle so that, when the fuel cell stack is placed such that manifolds decline toward the one end plate, the system component mounting surface is vertical.