Abstract: A fuel cell device is provided and includes a plurality of cell units arranged in superposed layers and each comprising a cell having an anode formed on one surface of an electrode member and a cathode formed on the other surface of the electrode member, a fuel-side-plate having a fuel chamber for passing a fuel therethrough, and an oxidant-side-plate having an oxidant chamber for passing an oxidant gas therethrough, an oxidant supply channel for supplying the oxidant gas to the oxidant chamber and an oxidant discharge channel for releasing to the outside air an oxidant exhaust gas discharged from the oxidant chamber, the cell being sandwiched between the plates. The oxidant discharge channel has a first opening in communication with the oxidant chamber and a second opening in communication with the outside air, the second opening being smaller than the first opening in width.

Abstract: A current collecting equipment for a fuel cell assembly of the kind wherein a current collector, a heat resisting insulator and an end plate are in turn being mounted on each end of a fuel cell stack is characterized in that the current collector comprises a plurality of current collecting sections arranged with spaces between sides of the adjacent sections, and that terminals are respectively connected to the current collecting sections and brought out through the end plate. The current collecting equipment may comprises four current collecting sections, a conductor frame provided with four through holes at its corners and four inner terminals being connected to each section and connected to the conductor frame, and an output terminal mounted on the frame and brought out through the end plate.

Abstract: A manifold device for a fuel cell system comprises a body shell having at least one opening, a closure plate having a protrusive portion and being mounted on the shell to form a manifold box, and a distribution unit arranged in the shell to partition an interior space of the shell into the first and second chambers. The unit comprises a pair of partitioning members and a partitioning plate mounted thereon in a spaced relationship to form slit-like gaps between them. The protrusive portion of the closure plate is provided with slit-like blowholes to supply process gas to a fuel cell stack. The partitioning plate is provided with a distributor and a deflector.

Abstract: Means for forming a seal between a fuel cell stack and manifolds to be fixed to respective sides of the fuel cell stack that comprises rigid frames adapted to be fixed on each side of the fuel cell stack and provided at its peripheries with grooves extending in the stacked direction of the fuel cell components and fastening means for uniting said frames. Each of fastening means comprises a pair of angle members each having a hook at its one end and being preassembled together with elastic washers by a clamping bolt and a nut. The hooks of the angle members of each pair is adapted to be engaged with the grooves of the adjacent frames.

Abstract: A temperature control system for a fuel cell powerplant comprising two or more fuel cell stacks to which cooling gas and process gases are separately supplied, that comprises temperature detectors each being arranged in a fuel cell stack; stack dampers each being arranged in each of inlet or outlet branched pipelines of a circulating pipeline for cooling gas; means for calculating the average value of operating temperatures of all the cell stacks detected by said temperature detectors, a difference between the average value and each detected temperature of the cell stacks, and a difference between the average value and a predetermined value of the operating temperature of the fuel cell stacks; a driver for actuating each stack damper in response to the difference between the average value and the detected temperature of each cell stack, and means for controlling the flow rate and/or the temperature of the cooling gas fed to all the cell stacks in response to the difference between the average value and the pr

Abstract: A fuel cell system of the kind wherein a fuel cell stack is housed in a pressure vessel, comprises a vibration-proof device arranged between the top of the fuel cell stack and the pressure vessel. The vibration-proof device comprises a forcing means mounted on an interior wall of the top of the pressure vessel, and a counter member mounted on the top of the fuel cell stack and provided with at its top with a projection or recess in a spherical or conical form, the forcing means comprising a pressure member provided at its bottom with a recess or projection in a spherical or conical form and forced downward to engage with the top of the counter member.