Abstract: An anode reactant recycling system for a fuel cell is disclosed, the system including a hollow main body, a bleed conduit, an injector, a water separator, and a hydrophilic porous media. The anode reactant recycling system for a fuel cell is configured to minimize a required number of components, eliminate the need for the anode heat exchanger, use a single valve for removal of condensate and reactant byproducts from the anode reactant recycling system, and provide an upstream volume for startup pressurization.

Abstract: An anode reactant recycling system for a fuel cell is disclosed, the system including a hollow main body, a bleed conduit, an injector, a water separator, and a hydrophilic porous media. The anode reactant recycling system for a fuel cell is adapted to minimize a required number of components, eliminate the need for the anode heat exchanger, use a single valve for removal of condensate and reactant byproducts from the anode reactant recycling system, and provide an upstream volume for startup pressurization.

Abstract: An electric insulator for a fuel cell stack with a plurality of fuel cell plates is provided. The electric insulator includes an insulation layer having a water management feature adapted to militate against liquid water contacting the fuel cell plates. Fuel cell stacks having the water management feature are also described.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for measuring a pressure of a fluid in fluid flow path of a fuel cell system is disclosed. The pressure sensor includes a housing provided with a communication path formed between the fluid flow path and an interior of the housing, the communication path having a hydrophobic feature to militate against a formation and an accumulation of an undesired material within the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A bipolar plate includes angled facets oriented to form V-shaped projections on the plate edge. Liquid leaving the reactant channels is drawn back into the V-shaped grooves of the projections, leaving no liquid to obstruct the channel exit openings. The bipolar plate includes one portion of the bipolar plate offset from another portion of the bipolar plate so as to expose the reactant channels. The liquid is drawn toward the end portions of the reactant channels by capillary forces, while the gas flows can exit near the beginning of the offset portion. A fuel cell stack includes angled facets that are rotated to lie in the plane of the bipolar plate edges. The edges are chamfered so the channel exit openings of the reactant channels are at the tip portions thereof, thus allowing the liquid to flow away from the channel exit openings and the gas to exit freely.

Abstract: A fuel cell plate including a first plate having a first header edge defining a first header aperture, the first header edge having a first break and a substantially aligned second plate having a second header edge defining a second header aperture, the second header edge having a second break. The fuel cell plate, well suited for use in a vehicle fuel cell stack, for removing water from a fuel cell stack header is disclosed.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment includes a fuel cell comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane sandwiched between an anode and a cathode, a gas diffusion layer disposed over each of the cathode and the anode, a gas flow distributor layer disposed over the gas diffusion layer on both the anode and cathode sides, and optionally a coolant plate disposed over the gas flow distributor layer. The thermal resistance of the combined gas diffusion layer and gas flow distributor layer on the anode and/or cathode side is sufficient to allow the cathode catalyst layer to operate at an elevated temperature to effectively evaporate water produced at the cathode.

Abstract: A plate for a fuel cell is disclosed, wherein an inlet aperture is disposed at a first end of the plate and an outlet aperture is disposed at a second end of the plate. The plate includes a first side and a second side. The first side of the plate has a flow field formed therein between the inlet aperture and the outlet aperture, the flow field having a plurality of flow channels formed therein, the plurality of flow channels in communication with a plurality of outlet ports formed in the plate. The second side of the plate has a plurality of drainage channels formed therein adjacent the outlet aperture, the plurality of drainage channels in fluid communication with the outlet ports and the outlet aperture, wherein a cross-sectional area occupied by each of the plurality of flow channels is substantially equal to a cross-sectional area occupied by each of the plurality of drainage channels.

Abstract: A device and method to extract water from a moisture-rich fuel cell flowpath. A water transport unit is integrated into the fuel cell so that liquid water stagnation within flow channels and manifolds is reduced. In one embodiment, the device includes numerous flowpaths that include an active region and an inactive region. The water transport unit includes a hydrophilic member such that upon passage of a fluid with the excess water through the inactive region of the device flowpath and into the presence of the hydrophilic member, it absorbs excess water from the fluid.

Abstract: A fuel cell component including a body disposed along a plane and having a boundary past which a reactant and water flows is provided. The boundary has a discontinuous edge adapted to militate against a pinning of the water at the edge. The fuel cell component may be a bipolar plate having a port hole with the discontinuous edge. The fuel cell component may be a subgasket for a fuel cell having a boundary with the discontinuous edge. The discontinuous edge facilitates a transportation of water from an upper surface of the fuel cell component to a lower surface of the fuel cell component.

Abstract: A bipolar plate assembly is described. The coolant passage on either the anode side or the cathode side includes a material having a low thermal conductivity. Fuel cells containing the bipolar plate assembly and methods of making the bipolar plate assembly are also described.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is described having a fuel cell stack including a PEM fuel cell having an anode and a cathode, the fuel cell stack further including an anode outlet and an anode inlet, a hydrogen storage device in communication with the anode inlet and configured to supply a hydrogen gas to the fuel cell stack, and an accumulation reservoir in communication with the anode outlet of the fuel cell stack. The accumulation reservoir is configured to accumulate a quantity of water and an exhaust stream including the hydrogen gas during a purge event and resupply the exhaust stream to the fuel cell stack after the purge event is complete. The accumulation reservoir can be a second fuel cell stack. A method of operating the fuel cell system is also provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly is provided that includes a fluid collection member disposed in a fluid inlet for a reactant, wherein the fluid collection member militates against liquid water on an inner surface of the fluid inlet from being received by a fuel cell of the fuel cell assembly.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly is disclosed that utilizes a fuel cell plate having hydrophobic portions adjacent an inlet and an outlet formed therein, and a hydrophilic portion formed in the flow channels of the fuel cell plate adjacent the hydrophobic portions, wherein the hydrophilic portion and the hydrophobic portion facilitate the transport of liquid water from the fuel cell plate.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly is disclosed that includes a porous member disposed within a flow path for a reactant. A fluid collection member is provided within the flow path adjacent to and in fluid communication with the porous member. The porous member and the fluid collection member cooperate to collect liquid water from the reactant flowing in the flow path, wherein the collected liquid water may be drained from the fluid collection member.

Abstract: A fuel cell plate for a fuel cell assembly is provided that includes a pair of unipolar plates including a flow field, an inlet flow distributor, and an outlet flow distributor, wherein the flow distributors are produced from a porous material to control liquid water throughout the reactant flow path.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for a fuel cell is disclosed including a first unipolar plate having an active surface with a plurality of flowfield channels formed therein. The first unipolar plate further includes an inlet header disposed at a first end of the unipolar plate that is in communication with the active surface, and an outlet header disposed at a second end of the unipolar plate having an exhaust opening formed therethrough. A peripheral edge of the exhaust opening is chamfered and is also in communication with the active surface. The chamfered exhaust opening forms a water removal channel in the bipolar plate. A fuel cell stack including the bipolar plate is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack is disclosed that utilizes a porous material internally disposed in the fuel cell outlet manifolds, wherein the porous material facilitates the transport of liquid water from the plate outlets thereby minimizing the accumulation of liquid water in the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: An anode reactant recycling system for a fuel cell is disclosed, the system including a hollow main body, a bleed conduit, an injector, a water separator, and a hydrophilic porous media. The anode reactant recycling system for a fuel cell is adapted to minimize a required number of components, eliminate the need for the anode heat exchanger, use a single valve for removal of condensate and reactant byproducts from the anode reactant recycling system, and provide an upstream volume for startup pressurization.

Abstract: A fuel cell including a water blocking layer positioned between anode gas flow channels and a gas diffusion media. The blocking layer prevents water from propagating through the gas diffusion media layer and entering the anode flow channels, while allowing gas from the flow channels to flow through the diffusion media layer to the membrane. A water accumulation channel can be provided around the perimeter of the gas diffusion media layer where blocked water is accumulated, and allowed to expand during cell freezing. A porous capillary wick can be provided in the accumulation channel for wicking water to the inlet end of the flow channels where it is used to humidify the anode gas coming into the fuel cell. The wick can have a tapered configuration so that it has a larger diameter at the gas input end of the flow channels.