Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention a fuel cell device array monolith comprises at least three planar electrolyte sheets having two sides. The electrolyte sheets are situated adjacent to one another. At least one of the electrolyte sheets is supporting a plurality of anodes situated on one side of the electrolyte sheet; and plurality of cathodes situated on the other side of the electrolyte sheet. The electrolyte sheets are arranged such that the electrolyte sheets with a plurality of cathodes and anodes is situated between the other electrolyte sheets. The at least three electrolyte sheets are joined together by sintered fit, with no metal frames or bipolar plates situated therebetween.

Abstract: A fuel cell has cell units and a manifold for uniformly supplying an anode fluid to each of the cell units. The manifold has a feed port through which an anode fluid is supplied, a first buffer section in fluid communication with the feed port for receiving the anode fluid and for reducing a flow rate of the anode fluid, a second buffer section in fluid communication with the first buffer section for receiving the anode fluid from the first buffer section at the reduced flow rate and for further reducing the flow rate of the anode fluid, and a block group formed of blocks spaced apart from one another to form flow channels in fluid communication with the second buffer section and through which the anode fluid at the further reduced flow rate flows. An array of fine openings is disposed in fluid communication with the cell units for receiving the anode fluid at the further reduced flow rate flowing through the flow channels so that the anode fluid is uniformly supplied to each of the cell units.

Abstract: A fuel cell electric generator designed for back-up in the absence of network electricity supply. The generator comprises a fuel cell stack, means for supplying the stack with a first and a second reagent flow comprising, in turn, pressure reducing means, and a manifold body to communicate with the stack said first and second reagent flows and at least a flow of coolant fluid via a respective coolant loop. The manifold body comprises inside chambers for the mixing of said reagent flows with corresponding re-circulated product flows and a coolant fluid expansion chamber within which said pressure reducing means of said first and second reagent flows are positioned at least partially drowned by said coolant. Method for the start-up and shut-down of the generator, and a method for detecting the flooding of a fuel cell and a method for detecting the presence of gas leakages in the generator are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cells, and a plurality of fuel delivery ports. Each of the plurality of fuel delivery ports is positioned on or in the fuel cell stack to provide fuel to a portion of the plurality fuel cells in each stack.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manifold insert having a plurality of distribution guides which reduce output voltage deviation due to flow instability between unit cells and prevent local flow instability of electrodes by stably distributing the flow of fluid (such as air, hydrogen, and coolant) supplied to a fuel cell stack, thereby maintaining a stable performance of the unit cells, and a fuel cell stack comprising the same.

Abstract: A plurality of integral bundle assemblies contain a top portion with an inlet fuel plenum and a bottom portion containing a base support, the base supports a dense, ceramic air exhaust manifold having four supporting legs, the manifold is below and connects to air feed tubes located in a recuperator zone, the air feed tubes passing into the center of inverted, tubular, elongated, hollow electrically connected solid oxide fuel cells having an open end above a combustion zone into which the air feed tubes pass and a closed end near the inlet fuel plenum, where the open end of the fuel cells rest upon and within a separate combination ceramic seal and bundle support contained in a ceramic support casting, where at least one flexible cushion ceramic band seal located between the recuperator and fuel cells protects and controls horizontal thermal expansion, and where the fuel cells operate in the fuel cell mode and where the base support and bottom ceramic air exhaust manifolds carry from 85% to all of the weight

Abstract: The invention relates to a bipolar plate for a fuel cell stack, which comprises at least a an anode-side sub-plate. An interior of the bipolar plate is enclosed by the sub-plates, with a fluid port area arranged having at least one fluid port, over which a fluid can be conveyed to the fluid channels. The fluid channels are arranged on at least one of the flat sides, as well as a manifold zone, over which the fluid can be distributed to its assigned fluid channels and an accumulation zone, over which the fluid can be carried away from the fluid channels to another fluid port area. At least one of the sub-plates has a uniform arrangement of raised support points in the manifold zone and/or accumulation zone. Apart from the peripherally situated support points, a negative support point of the same type is designed adjacent to each raised support point inside the manifold zone and/or the accumulation zone.

Abstract: A first separator has an outlet side first connection channel connecting a first fuel gas flow field and a fuel gas discharge passage, and a second separator includes an outlet side second connection channel connecting a second fuel gas flow field and the fuel gas discharge passage. The outlet side first connection channel and the outlet side second connection channel include outer passages and outer passages arranged in the same plane formed by facing the first separator and the second separator. The outer passages and the outer passages are formed alternately and independently in the same plane.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack structure comprises a first end plate, a second end plate, a plurality of fuel cells stacked between the first end plate and the second end plate, a distributor positioned near the first end plate for distributing at least one fluid toward the stacked fuel cells, a manifold having a fluid channel therein to be in fluid connection with the distributor and with the stacked fuel cells for receiving the fluid from the distributor and supplying the fluid to the stacked fuel cells, and a channel separator disposed inside the manifold in the longitudinal direction of the stacked fuel cells to separate the fluid channel of the fluid to a first space closer to the stacked fuel cells and a second space far from the stacked fuel cells. With this structure, it is possible to improve performance and durability of the fuel cell stack by uniformly supplying a fluid to the stacked fuel cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell battery (2) has a structure in which a plurality of cells are stacked and in-series connected. The cells include a cell (15), and one or more cells (16) of a cell stack (11). Hydrogen that has entered the fuel cell battery (2) from a channel (12) is supplied to each cell through a supply manifold (13). After the amount of hydrogen needed for power generation is consumed, gas is discharged as a fuel off-gas into a discharge manifold (14), and then flows into the cell (15). This prevents impurities contained in the fuel off-gas from being accumulated in the cells (16), and causes the impurities to be accumulated in the cell (15). Thus, variations in the amount of power generation among the cells can be restrained in a fuel cell battery system that employs a dead-end method.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a fluid distribution system. The system may include one or more electrochemical cell layers, a bulk distribution manifold having an inlet, a cell layer feeding manifold in direct fluidic contact with the electrochemical cell layer and a separation layer that separates the bulk distribution manifold from the cell feeding manifold, providing at least two independent paths for fluid to flow from the bulk distribution manifold to the cell feeding manifold.

Abstract: This invention provides a fuel battery comprising a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode-side catalyst body and a cathode-side catalyst body disposed respectively on both sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and a fuel guide part in which the anode-side catalyst body is disposed opposite to the anode-side catalyst body on the opposite side where the anode-side catalyst body faces the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and which guides a fuel which has been externally supplied toward the center of the face of the anode-side catalyst body.

Abstract: A fuel cell arrangement (1) comprising a number of fuel cell stacks (2) formed by planar fuel cells, the stacks being arranged one after the other, each of which being provided with a gas connection for the inlet and exhaust flows of the gas of the anode and the cathode side. The fuel cell stacks (2) are arranged together positioned over a fastening plane element (3) by means of an end piece (5) and the fastening plane element (3) and tie bars (6) connecting them. The gas connection comprises anode and cathode side conduits arranged on the first surface (2.1) of each fuel cell stack. The arrangement comprises at least two consecutive fuel cell stacks (2) the anode and cathode side conduits of which are in connection with a common inlet and collector piece (4.1, 4.2) located between the said two consecutive fuel cell stacks (2) against the said first surfaces.

Abstract: A separator (41) for use in a fuel cell stack has an anode facing plate (44), a cathode facing plate (42), and an intermediate plate (45). The intermediate plate (45) has an air supply through-hole (452a), an air discharge through-hole (452b), a hydrogen supply through-hole (454a), and a hydrogen discharge through-hole (454b). The intermediate plate (45) also has through-holes (452c1, 452d1, 452e1, and 452f1). The air supply through-hole (452a) is in communication with the through-hole (452c1), the air discharge through-hole (452b) with the through-hole (452d1), the hydrogen supply through-hole (454a) with the through-hole (452e1), and the hydrogen discharge through-hole (454b) with the through-hole (452f1), respectively via communication passages (452c2, 452d2, 452e2, and 452f2) formed in the intermediate plate (45).

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a first fuel cell stack having a first end plate, wherein the first end plate has a first opening, and a fuel cell component having a second opening. An adapter connects the first opening in the first end plate and the second opening in the fuel cell component. The adapter comprises a hollow tube. At least one of the first and second openings is located in a first groove. At least a first portion of the adapter is located in the first groove such that there is a passage from the first opening to the second opening through an interior of the hollow tube.

Abstract: In a fuel cell stack, an inlet fuel distributor (15, 31, 31a, 31b) comprises a plurality of fuel distributing passageways (17-23, 40-47, 64) of substantially equal length and equal flow cross section to uniformly distribute fuel cell inlet fuel from a fuel supply conduit (13, 14, 50) to a fuel inlet manifold (28). The conduits may be either channels (40-47; 64) formed within a plate (39) or tubes (17-23). The channels may have single exits (65) or double exits (52, 53) into the fuel inlet manifold.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly includes a fuel cell configuration having a solid electrolyte-based fuel cell with terminal contacts tapping an electrical voltage from the fuel cell configuration between which the fuel cell is disposed. An assembly has an electrically conductive component and another component disposed between a first terminal contact and the electrically conductive component on the side of the first terminal contact away from the fuel cell and has a lower electrical conductivity than that thereof. A supply duct transports a fluid medium connecting the first terminal contact to the electrically conductive component through the other component. The electrically conductive component is connected to the first terminal contact and/or a voltage supply adjusting an electrical potential on the electrically conductive component to an electrical potential on the first terminal contact. There is a maximum potential difference of 3 volts between the electrically conductive component and the first terminal contact.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fuel cell modules. The fuel cell module includes a housing that contains a plurality of fuel cell elements called unicells. Each unicell comprises a plurality of microcells. The housing is divided into a plurality of housing sections. A compressible bulkhead disposed between two adjacent housing sections and has a plurality of holes formed therein to allow respective unicells to pass through the bulkhead. A clamp element compresses the bulkhead to form a gas-tight seal between said bulkhead and the unicells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell consisting of a stack of elementary cells and interconnectors (7) and comprising a single vertical seal (2) which is placed around the stack thus formed. The aforementioned assembly is preferably equipped with a containment tube (1) which is placed around the vertical seal (2). Supply channels (11 and 12) in the interconnectors and lateral inlet and outlet (13 and 14) holes can be used to supply distribution channels (9 and 10) which are positioned against the electrodes of each elementary cell. The invention is suitable for SOFC-type fuel cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell generator including a housing defining a plurality of chambers including a generator chamber having first and second generator sections. A plurality of elongated fuel cells extend through the first and second generator sections. An oxidant supply supplies oxidant to at least one of the chambers within the housing in order to provide oxidant to one end of each of the fuel cells. A fuel distribution plenum extends transversely to the elongated fuel cells and is located between the first and second generator sections. The fuel distribution plenum distributes fuel to the first and second generator sections in opposing directions within the generator chamber.

Abstract: A heat-resistant alloy capable of effectively suppressing diffusion of Cr, as well as an alloy member for a fuel cell, a fuel cell stack device, a fuel cell module and a fuel cell device are provided. A heat-resistant alloy includes a Cr-containing alloy, and a Cr-diffusion suppression layer located on at least a part of a surface of the Cr-containing alloy, the Cr-diffusion suppression layer being made by laminating a first layer that contains a Zn-containing oxide and a second layer that does not contain ZnO but contains an (La, Sr)MnO3-based perovskite oxide in that order, so that it is possible to effectively suppress diffusion of Cr. By using the heat-resistant alloy for an alloy member for a fuel cell, a fuel cell stack device, a fuel cell module and a fuel cell device each having improved reliability can be obtained.

Abstract: A caulk is provided for use in a fuel cell system having an externally manifolded fuel cell stack, forming a gas seal between a manifold gasket and the stack face. The caulk is formed of a ceramic material and a binder formed into a paste.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that enables an assisted anode purge upon start-up is provided. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells with anodes and cathodes. The fuel cell stack has an anode supply manifold and an anode exhaust manifold in fluid communication with the anodes. The fuel cell system further includes a suction device in fluid communication with at least one of the anode supply manifold and the anode exhaust manifold. The suction device adapted to selectively draw a partial vacuum on the fuel cell stack during a start-up of the fuel cell system. Methods for starting the fuel cell system are also provided.

Abstract: A first seal member is formed integrally on both surfaces of a first metal plate. The first seal member is integrally formed on a cooling surface of the first metal plate, except a region corresponding to a reaction surface facing an electrode reaction surface, and except regions of inlet buffers and outlet buffers. The first seal member has an expansion. The position of an end surface of the expansion substantially matches the position of a wall surface of the outermost groove of a coolant flow field to prevent the flow of a coolant around the electrode reaction surface.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is disclosed comprising a plurality of fuel cell modules including a sealed planar fuel cell stack, the stack including internal manifold channels for transport of fuel and air to fuel cells within the stack and transport of tail gas and spent air away from fuel cells within the stack. Each of the fuel cell stacks is mounted on a stack footprint area of a top member of a base manifold. The base manifolds are configured to allow for interconnection of a number of fuel cell stack modules to provide a fuel cell system capable of producing power outputs that otherwise would have required large surface area cells or stack with a large number of cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and at least one bipolar plate having an anode-side gas distributor structure for distributing anode reactants, a cathode-side gas distributor structure for distributing cathode reactants, and a guide passage structure for distributing a cooling medium. At least one of the anode-side gas distributor structure and the cathode-side gas distributor structure is divided into at least a first field and a second field, each of the first and second fields having an entry port and an exit port for the reactants. In addition, a method for such a fuel cell includes passing a reactant into an entry port of the first field and out of an exit port of the first field, mixing the reactant with a fresh reactant so as to form a mixture, and passing the mixture into the entry port of the second field.

Abstract: A fuel gas flow field is formed on a surface of a rectangular first metal separator. The fuel gas flow field includes flow grooves extending in the direction of gravity. An outlet buffer is provided at a lower end of the fuel gas flow field. The outlet buffer includes an inclined surface inclined toward a fuel gas discharge passage. The fuel gas discharge passage is positioned below the outlet buffer. Outlet channel grooves are formed by ridges provided between the fuel gas discharge passage and the outlet buffer. Lower ends of the ridges are arranged in a zigzag pattern.

Abstract: A fuel cell unit includes a plurality of angularly spaced fuel cell stacks arranged to form a ring-shaped structure about a central axis, each of the fuel cell stacks having a stacking direction extending parallel to the central axis. The fuel cell unit also includes an annular cathode feed manifold surrounding the fuel cell stacks to deliver a cathode feed flow thereto, a plurality of baffles extending parallel to the central axis, each of the baffles located between an adjacent pair of the fuel cell stacks to direct a cathode feed flow from the annular cathode feed manifold and radially inwardly through the adjacent pair, and an annular cathode exhaust manifold surrounded by the fuel cell stacks to receive a cathode exhaust flow therefrom.

Abstract: A fluid distribution insert adapted to be received within an inlet header of a fuel cell assembly. 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. An outlet is formed intermediate the first end and the second end. The outlet is adapted to deliver the reactant gas to a plurality of fuel cells of the fuel cell assembly, wherein the hollow insert delivers the reactant gas to the fuel cells in a substantially simultaneous and uniform manner.

Abstract: A fluid flow field plate for use in a fuel cell, the plate comprising a first plurality of channels formed in a first surface thereof and extending across the first surface in a predetermined pattern, the plate having a folded region along a lateral edge, the folded region comprising a plenum and an interface region, the plenum having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to an edge of the plate, the interface region comprising two adjacent and facing portions of the first surface.

Abstract: The durability of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell is very significantly improved by using a tightening pressure of about 2 to 4 kgf/cm2 of area of electrode; or a tightening pressure of about 4 to 8 kgf/cm2 of contact area between electrode and separator plate; or by selecting a value not exceeding about 1.5 mS/cm2 for the short-circuit conductivity attributed to the DC resistance component in each unit cell; or by selecting a value not exceeding about 3 mA/cm2 for the hydrogen leak current per area of electrode of each MEA. Further, in a method of manufacturing or an inspection method for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack, fuel cells having high durability can be efficiently manufactured by removing such MEAs or unit cells using such MEAs or such cell stacks having short-circuit conductivity values and/or hydrogen leak current values exceeding predetermined values, respectively.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack comprising: a cell stack body having stacked single cells and a manifold for supplying or discharging a fluid to the stacked single cells, the single cell including a membrane electrode assembly and a separator sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly; an end plate stacked onto the cell stack body and having a through-hole along the stacking direction of the cell stack body; and a fluid tube body inserted detachably into the through-hole so as to pass through the end plate, the fluid tube body being connected to the manifold, wherein a part of the outer surface of the fluid tube body opposite to the inner surface of the through-hole is separated from the inner surface of the through-hole.

Abstract: A fuel cell, which can increase a ratio of an area of a power generation region to an area of a fuel cell unit to increase power per unit volume and unit weight of a fuel cell. The fuel cell includes an oxidizer electrode surrounding member provided at four corners of the fuel cell unit to incorporate atmospheric oxygen through an oxidizer intake formed at a gap of the oxidizer electrode surrounding member. The fuel cell further includes a through-hole which serves as a hydrogen gas supply path for each fuel cell unit and fastens the fuel cell units in a stacking direction formed inside the oxidizer electrode surrounding member. By aligning through-holes of end plates, separator, and fuel electrode seals with each other and by allowing a stack fastening component to penetrate through the through-holes, the whole is pressed and urged to be assembled.

Abstract: A fuel cell arrangement comprising a number of fuel cell stacks (17, 17?) consisting of planar fuel cells, the stacks being arranged one after the other, each of which being provided with a gas connection for the inlet and outlet flows of the gas of the anode and the cathode side. The fuel cell stacks (17, 17?) are arranged as a tower on a fastening plane element (2, 2?) acting as a load-bearing structure, the tower being supported by means of an end piece (19, 19?) arranged at the end opposite to the fastening plane element (2, 2?) of the tower and by tie bars (11, 11?) connecting the fastening plane element and the end piece. The fastening plane element (2, 2?) is provided with inlet and exhaust flow channels for both anode and cathode side gas, the channels being connected to the common anode and cathode side gas tubes (6, 6?; 7, 7?) of the tower arranged in connection with the tower for arranging the gas connection of the fuel cell stacks.

Abstract: A MEMS-based fuel cell has a substrate, an electrolyte in contact with the substrate, a cathode in contact with the electrolyte, an anode spaced apart from the cathode and in contact with the electrolyte, and an integral manifold for supplying either a fuel or an oxidant or both together, the integral manifold extending over at least a portion of the electrolyte and over at least one of the anode and cathode. Methods for making and using arrays of the fuel cells are disclosed.

Abstract: To mitigate bubble blockage in water passageways (78, 85), in or near reactant gas flow field plates (74, 81) of fuel cells (38), passageways are configured with (a) cross sections having intersecting polygons or other shapes, obtuse angles including triangles and trapezoids, or (b) hydrophobic surfaces (111), or (c) differing adjacent channels (127, 128), or (d) water permeable layers (93, 115, 116, 119) adjacent to water channels or hydrophobic/hydrophilic layers (114, 120), or (e) diverging channels (152).

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and at least one bipolar plate having an anode-side gas distributor structure for distributing anode reactants, a cathode-side gas distributor structure for distributing cathode reactants, and a guide passage structure for distributing a cooling medium. At least one of the anode-side gas distributor structure and the cathode-side gas distributor structure is divided into at least a first field and a second field, each of the first and second fields having an entry port and an exit port for the reactants. In addition, a method for such a fuel cell includes passing a reactant into an entry port of the first field and out of an exit port of the first field, mixing the reactant with a fresh reactant so as to form a mixture, and passing the mixture into the entry port of the second field.

Abstract: A fuel supply manifold assembly (20) comprising a manifold (40), one or more supply inlet connections (42), pressure readers (44, 46), a manual turnoff (50), pressure-reducing devices (52,54), a pressure-relieving device (56), a flow-control device (60), and a delivery outlet port (62). The manifold (40) defines a flow path from the supply inlet connection(s) (42) to the delivery outlet port (62). The flow path passes through the pressure readers (44, 46), the manual turnoff (50), pressure-reducing devices (52,54), the pressure-relieving device (56), the flow-control device (60). When installing the fuel supply manifold assembly (20) at a fuel cell site, one inlet connection for each fuel source and one outlet connection is required. No separate connections, tubing, hoses, or other plumbing is required to integrate other the components into the fuel flow path to the anode side of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: There is provided a coolant manifold that is installed to a fuel cell stack so as to distribute coolant through the fuel cell stack, which is constituted by stacking a plurality of unit cells and has more than one communication holes for coolant supply and at least one communication hole for coolant discharge, in which the coolant flows in an order from the communication holes for coolant supply through a plurality of the unit cells to the communication hole for coolant discharge. The coolant manifold includes a manifold body having a manifold chamber that extends along an alignment direction of the communication holes for coolant supply, and an external communication part having an external communication hole for communicating the manifold chamber with external. A center axis of the external communication hole is placed unparallel and non-vertical relative to a center axis of each communication hole for coolant supply.

Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell system including a supply port, a supply-side main flow path, a discharge-side main flow path, a plurality of branch flow paths, and a discharge port, wherein with respect to each of the branch flow paths, the magnitudes of flow path resistances of predetermined portions of the flow paths satisfy specified mutual relationships. Thereby, a fuel cell system is provided that can effectively expel impurity gas that resides/accumulates in a power generation cell, even at a small flow rate of low-pressure hydrogen gas.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells, wherein each solid oxide fuel cell comprises an electrolyte located between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, a plurality of gas separators, and at least one compliant cathode contact material. The contact material may be a metallic felt, foam or mesh, an electrically conductive glass or an electrically conductive ceramic felt located between at least one of the plurality of gas separators and a cathode electrode of an adjacent solid oxide fuel cell.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell, solid oxide electrolyzer, and associated interconnect structure is disclosed for use in solid oxide electrolytic devices that use chrome-containing components, such as solid oxide fuel cells and solid oxide oxygen-generators. The invention provides a reliable and durable interconnect for both structural and electrical components of such devices. In general, the interconnect structure relies on a dual-layer, high-temperature seal which provides an effective diffusion barrier for both chrome and oxygen. As a result of the described interconnect, corrosion or loss in electrical conductivity in such solid oxide electrolytic devices is avoided. Also, a novel structure for such solid oxide electrolytic devices is disclosed, which provides an economical and high-integrity structure that utilizes the disclosed interconnect structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fuel cells and components used within a fuel cell. Heat transfer appendages are described that improve fuel cell thermal management. Each heat transfer appendage is arranged on an external portion of a bi-polar plate and permits conductive heat transfer between inner portions of the bi-polar plate and outer portions of the bi-polar plate proximate to the appendage. The heat transfer appendage may be used for heating or cooling inner portions of a fuel cell stack. Improved thermal management provided by cooling the heat transfer appendages also permits new channel field designs that distribute the reactant gases to a membrane electrode assembly. Flow buffers are described that improve delivery of reactant gases and removal of reaction products. Single plate bi-polar plates may also include staggered channel designs that reduce the thickness of the single plate.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly in which at least one heat exchanger for conditioning either the anode or cathode reactant gas is integrated with the fuel cell stack and located at the end of the fuel cell stack, to isolate the fuel cell stack from contact with the end plates of the stack. The heat exchanger may preferably be comprised of a stack of plates which may preferably be the same as the plates as the fuel cell stack, with outer and inner end plates to direct the flow of reactant gases, waste gases and coolant to and from the fuel cell stack. The assembly is preferably configured to include reactant conditioning heat exchangers at both ends of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A modular fuel cell stack assembly comprising a plurality of fuel cell stacks, each of the stacks having a plurality of stack faces and a plurality of stack corners formed between the stack faces, wherein the plurality of stack faces include a cathode inlet face adapted to receive oxidant gas for use in a cathode side of the fuel cell stack, a cathode outlet face adapted to output cathode exhaust from the cathode side, an anode inlet face adapted to receive fuel for use in an anode side of the fuel cell stack and an anode outlet face adapted to output anode exhaust from the anode side, and wherein at least one of the cathode inlet face, cathode outlet face, anode inlet face and anode outlet face is an open face without a manifold, and a containment structure for housing the plurality of fuel cell stacks and for providing fuel and oxidant gas to said fuel cell stacks, the containment structure including at least one sealed chamber for sealingly enclosing and isolating at least one open face.

Abstract: A fuel cell manifold holding pressurized cooling fluid is attached to a plurality of cells. A swirl chamber communicating cooling fluid from the manifold to the cells slows the speed of the cooling fluid and lowers its pressure as it enters a fuel cell cooling path.

Abstract: A solid polymer fuel cell comprising a membrane electrode assembly that is in adhesive contact with a first flow field plate around the circumferential edge of the membrane electrode assembly and in non-adhesive contact with a second flow field plate, and an elastomeric manifold seal member that circumscribes at least one manifold opening of the first flow field plate and the second flow field plate. In this configuration, the adhesive substantially seals a first reactant gas while the manifold seal member substantially seals a second reactant gas, thereby improving sealing reliability and simplifying the seal design without overly compressing and damaging the circumferential edge of the membrane electrode assembly.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes an electrolyte electrode assembly and separators. The separator has a fuel gas supply passage, a fuel gas distribution passage, an oxygen-containing gas supply passage, and an oxygen-containing gas distribution passage. The fuel gas flows through the fuel gas supply passage into the separator. The fuel gas distribution passage connects the fuel gas channel and the fuel gas supply passage. The oxygen-containing gas flows through the oxygen-containing gas supply passage into the separator. The oxygen-containing gas distribution passage connects the oxygen-containing gas channel and the oxygen-containing gas supply passage.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack comprising: a cell stack body having stacked single cells and a manifold for supplying or discharging a fluid to the stacked single cells, the single cell including a membrane electrode assembly and a separator sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly; an end plate stacked onto the cell stack body and having a through-hole along the stacking direction of the cell stack body; and a fluid tube body inserted detachably into the through-hole so as to pass through the end plate, the fluid tube body being connected to the manifold, wherein a part of the outer surface of the fluid tube body opposite to the inner surface of the through-hole is separated from the inner surface of the through-hole.

Abstract: A fuel cell apparatus including a reaction unit for performing a chemical reaction, at least one fan for providing an airflow, and an airflow guiding device is provided. The airflow guiding device is connected to the fan and the reaction unit. The airflow guiding device includes an airflow rectification segment and a first airflow separation segment. The airflow rectification segment is connected to the fan and has one flow channel. The first airflow separation segment is connected to the airflow rectification segment and disposed between the airflow rectification segment and the reaction unit. A number of flow channels inside the first airflow separation segment is N1, where N1 is a positive integer and N1>1.