Abstract: An inlet fuel distributor (10-10d) has a permeable baffle (39, 54, 54a, 60) between a fuel supply pipe (11, 83) and a fuel inlet manifold (12, 53, 53a, 63) causing fuel to be uniformly distributed along the length of the fuel inlet manifold. A surface (53, 68) may cause impinging fuel to turn and flow substantially omnidirectionally improving its uniformity. Recycle fuel may be provided (25, 71) into the flow downstream of the fuel inlet distributor. During startup, fuel or inert gas within the inlet fuel distributor and the fuel inlet manifold may be vented through an exhaust valve (57, 86) in response to a controller (58, 79) so as to present a uniform fuel front to the inlets of the fuel flow fields (58).

Abstract: An inlet fuel distributor (10-10d) has a permeable baffle (39, 54, 54a, 60) between a fuel supply pipe (11, 83) and a fuel inlet manifold (12, 53, 53a, 63) causing fuel to be uniformly distributed along the length of the fuel inlet manifold. A surface (53, 68) may cause impinging fuel to turn and flow substantially omnidirectionally improving its uniformity. Recycle fuel may be provided (25, 71) into the flow downstream of the fuel inlet distributor. During startup, fuel or inert gas within the inlet fuel distributor and the fuel inlet manifold may be vented through a valve (57, 86) in response to a controller (58, 79) so as to present a uniform fuel front to the inlets of the fuel flow fields (58).

Abstract: The invention is a fuel cell stack having an improved pressure plate and current collector. The fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cell component plates stacked adjacent each other to form a reaction portion of the fuel cell stack. A current collector is secured adjacent a first end of the stack of fuel cell component plates and a pressure plate is secured adjacent to the current collector. The current collector is made from a non-porous, electrically conductive graphite material and includes at least one conductive stud secured to the collector. The pressure plate is made of an electrically non-conductive, non-metallic, fiber reinforced composite material, so that the current collector and pressure plate are light, compact and have a low thermal capacity.

Abstract: A fuel cell (40) has a proton exchange membrane (41) having a rectangular central portion (42) and flaps (43-46) extending from the central portion. The flaps are wrapped around the cathode and anode substrates (14, 26) to provide respective edge seals therefor. A liquified adhesive adheres the flaps to the substrates and intervening filler material (33) so as to form a unitized electrode assembly.

Abstract: The invention is a fuel cell stack having an improved pressure plate and current collector. The fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cell component plates stacked adjacent each other to form a reaction portion of the fuel cell stack. A current collector is secured adjacent a first end of the stack of fuel cell component plates and a pressure plate is secured adjacent to the current collector. The current collector is made from a non-porous, electrically conductive graphite material and includes at least one conductive stud secured to the collector. The pressure plate is made of an electrically non-conductive, non-metallic, fiber reinforced composite material, so that the current collector and pressure plate are light, compact and have a low thermal capacity.

Abstract: A fuel cell (40) has a proton exchange membrane (41) having a rectangular central portion (42) and flaps (43-46) extending from the central portion. The flaps are wrapped around the cathode and anode substrates (14, 26) to provide respective edge seals therefor. A liquified adhesive adheres the flaps to the substrates and intervening filler material (33) so as to form a unitized electrode assembly.