Abstract: The present disclosure provides fuel cell units formed from a plurality of flow plate assemblies disposed in a stack configuration, with adjacent flow plate assemblies in the stack configuration disposed at an offset angle relative to each other. Fuel cell stacks can be formed from a plurality of the fuel cell units placed into a stack aligned with each other with no offset. The present disclosure also provides for methods of forming the fuel cell units, fuel cell stacks, and fuel cell systems containing the former.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for controlling freezing of a cooling module for use in a fuel cell system. The cooling module includes a first chamber configured to receive a first material, a second chamber configured to receive a second material, and a first insulating layer disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber. The second chamber surrounds, at least partly, the first chamber. As ambient temperature decreases, the second material begins freezing before the first material begins freezing.

Abstract: Separator plates (108; 300; 400; 410) for fuel cell assemblies have a first edge (110, 310) and a second, opposing edge (111, 311). The fuel cell separator plates define a series of airflow channels (112, 113, 312, 313, 401, 411) extending longitudinally between the first and second edges. The airflow channels can be non-linear airflow channels formed from a linked series of bumps (320) opposite to corresponding recesses (321) in the facing channel walls. The linked series of bumps and recesses can run the entire channel length. The linked series of bumps and recesses can be formed as a sinusoidal wave having an amplitude and a frequency.

Abstract: Fuel cell stack assemblies having a positive end plate and a negative end plate. The end plates can be formed from a central structural clement with an insulating end plate cover and an insulating end plate manifold. A plurality of cathode plates and a plurality of fuel cell assemblies can be arranged in a stack having an alternating pattern of cathode plates and fuel cell assemblies, with the positive end plate and the negative end plate provided on either end of the stack of cathode plates and fuel cell assemblies.

Abstract: A fuel cell sub-assembly (100) comprising; a gasket (101) comprising a peripheral seal (102) for a fuel cell assembly, the peripheral seal defining a central aperture (103) of the gasket; a gas diffusion layer (104) for providing diffused gases to a proton exchange membrane (503) of a fuel cell, the gas diffusion layer (104) located within the central aperture; wherein at at least one convection point (105, 106), an inside facing surface (107) of the peripheral seal of the gasket is welded to a corresponding outward facing surface (108) of the gas diffusion layer (104).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein the fuel cell provides a structural component of the vehicle.

Abstract: Fuel cell stack assemblies (100) have a positive end plate (200) and a negative end plate (300), The end plates (200, 300) can be formed from a central structural element (220, 320) with an insulating end plate cover (210, 310) and an insulating end plate manifold (230, 330). A plurality of cathode plates (150) and a plurality of fuel cell assemblies (250) can be arranged in a stack having an alternating pattern of cathode plates (150) and fuel cell assemblies (250), with the positive end plate (200) and the negative end plate (300) provided on either end of the stack of cathode plates and fuel cell assemblies.

Abstract: Methods and devices for generating power using PEM fuel cell power systems comprising a rotary bed reactor for hydrogen generation are disclosed. Hydrogen is generated by the hydrolysis of fuels such as lithium aluminum hydride and mixtures thereof. Water required for hydrolysis may be captured from the fuel cell exhaust. Water is preferably fed to the reactor in the form of a mist generated by an atomizer. An exemplary 750 We-h, 400 We PEM fuel cell power system may be characterized by a specific energy of about 550 We-h/kg and a specific power of about 290 We/kg.

Abstract: A control valve for controlling the exhausting of a purge gas from a fuel cell assembly, comprising a valve body having a valve member therein moveable between a first position and a second position, an inlet port for receiving a purge gas from the fuel cell assembly and an outlet port for providing an outlet for the purge gas, the valve member configured to, in the first position, prevent purge gas from flowing between the inlet port and the outlet port and, in the second position, allow the flow of purge gas between the inlet port and the outlet port, the valve body including a drain port adapted and arranged in the valve body to allow liquid to drain out of the valve body, the drain port configured to close when the valve member is in the second position.

Abstract: Fuel cell stack assemblies (100) have a positive end plate (200) and a negative end plate (300), The end plates (200, 300) can be formed from a central structural element (220, 320) with an insulating end plate cover (210, 310) and an insulating end plate manifold (230, 330). A plurality of cathode plates (150) and a plurality of fuel cell assemblies (250) can be arranged in a stack having an alternating pattern of cathode plates (150) and fuel cell assemblies (250), with the positive end plate (200) and the negative end plate (300) provided on either end of the stack of cathode plates and fuel cell assemblies.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) configured to determine reactant purity comprising: a first fuel cell (11) configured to generate electrical current from the electrochemical reaction between two reactants, having a first reactant inlet (13) configured to receive a test reactant comprising one of the two reactants from a first reactant source (7, 5, 16); a second fuel cell (12) configured to generate electrical current from the electrochemical reaction between the two reactants, having a second reactant inlet (14) configured to receive the test reactant from a second reactant source (5); a controller (20) configured to apply an electrical load to each fuel cell and determine an electrical output difference, ODt, between an electrical output of the first fuel cell (11) and an electrical output of the second fuel cell (12), and determine a difference between a predicted output difference and the determined electrical output difference, ODt, the predicted output difference determined based on a historical output of difference

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein the fuel cell provides a structural component of the vehicle.

Abstract: A coolant injection controller for a fuel cell system, the coolant injection controller configured to actively control the flow of a coolant to a fuel cell assembly for cooling and/or hydrating the fuel cell assembly in response to a measure of fuel cell assembly performance, wherein the coolant injection controller is configured to provide for a first mode of operation if the measure of fuel cell assembly performance is below a predetermined threshold and a second mode of operation if the measure of fuel cell assembly performance is above the predetermined threshold, the first and second modes having different coolant injection profiles and wherein, in the first mode of operation, the coolant injection profile provides for control of the flow of coolant by alternating between at least two different injection flow rates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell system and associated method of manufacture. The fuel cell system has at least a first surface region and a second surface region, wherein the first surface region is more hydrophilic than the second surface region, wherein the first and second surface regions are arranged in accordance with a parameter distribution of the fuel cell system.

Abstract: An electrochemical fuel cell assembly comprises a fuel cell stack having a fuel delivery inlet and a fuel delivery outlet. The fuel cell stack further includes a number of fuel cells each having a membrane-electrode assembly and a fluid flow path coupled between the fuel delivery inlet and the fuel delivery outlet for delivery of fuel to the membrane electrode assembly. A fuel delivery conduit is coupled to the fuel delivery inlet for 10 delivery of fluid fuel to the stack. A bleed conduit is coupled to the fuel delivery outlet for venting fluid out of the stack. A variable orifice flow control device coupled to the bleed conduit configured to dynamically vary an amount of fluid from the fuel delivery outlet passing into the bleed conduit as a function of one or more of the control parameters: (i) measured fuel concentration; (ii) measured humidity; (iii) cell voltages of fuel cells in the 15 stack; (iv) impedance of fuel cells in the stack; (v) resistance of fuel cells in the stack.

Abstract: A connector system (1) for coupling one fluid conduit to another fluid conduit comprises a first connector element (2) having a mating surface extending around an insertion axis of the connector element. The mating surface incorporates first and second resilient peripheral seals (7, 9) extending around the mating surface, the first and second peripheral seals (7, 9) having different diameters and being separated along the insertion axis. The first connector element (2) bearing the peripheral seals (7, 9) can be the female connector (2), such as shown, or can be the male connector (3).

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises an antimicrobial patterned surface. The fuel cell system may comprise a fuel cell stack, a coolant reservoir, and a coolant flow path configured to supply coolant from the coolant reservoir to the fuel cell stack. One or more of the fuel cell stack, the coolant reservoir and the coolant flow path may comprise the antimicrobial patterned surface.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack is disclosed. An ozone generator is configured to introduce ozone into a coolant in the fuel cell system. A deionisation apparatus is coupled to the fuel cell stack. A bypass conduit is arranged in parallel with the deionisation apparatus. A controller is configured to control flow of the coolant to the fuel cell stack through either the deionisation apparatus or the bypass conduit based on the operating state of the ozone generator.

Abstract: A coolant storage tank (1) for storing coolant in a fuel cell system (2), the coolant storage tank comprising a plurality of individually controllable heater elements (7, 8a, 8b). A coolant storage tank comprising a first heater element (7) located at a base of the coolant storage tank and a second heater element (8a) is also disclosed. A coolant storage tank comprising a first coolant storage compartment (50) in fluid communication with a second coolant storage compartment (51), the first coolant storage compartment including at least a first heater element (54) and wherein the second coolant storage compartment is unheated is also disclosed. A method of melting frozen coolant in a coolant storage tank is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell assembly of a plurality of fuel cells configured to generate electrical power from a fuel flow and an oxidant flow to the plurality of fuel cells, the fuel cell assembly arranged in combination with a coolant storage module configured to supply the fuel cell assembly with a flow of coolant, the method performed when the temperature of the coolant in the coolant storage module is below a coolant temperature threshold and comprises; a first phase performed prior to activation of a coolant pump configured to deliver coolant from the coolant storage module to the fuel cell assembly and a second phase performed after activation of the coolant pump.