Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (15) formed by a solid electrolyte membrane (16) and electrode catalyst layers (17, 18) is interposed between a pair of frames (13, 14). Gas diffusion layers (19, 20) are laminated onto the surface of the electrode catalyst layers (17, 18). A first gas passage forming member (21) is laminated onto the surface of the gas diffusion layer (19) while a second gas passage forming member (22) is laminated onto the surface of the gas diffusion layer (20). Separators (23, 24) contact surfaces of the frame (13, 14) and the first and second gas passage forming member (21, 22). A plurality of first and second straight grooves (21c, 21d) are formed on the first gas passage forming member (21), such that the widths (w1, w2) differ from each other, and cross-sectional areas of the paths for the first and second gas passages (T1, T2) differ from each other.

Abstract: An electrode structure 15 is accommodated in a joint portion of frames 13 and 14. A first gas diffusion layer 19 and a first gas passage forming member 21 are laid on a first surface of the electrode structure 15, and a second gas diffusion layer 20 and a second gas passage forming member 22 are laid on a second surface of the electrode structure 15. A separator 23 is joined to surfaces of the frame 13 and the gas passage forming member 21, and a separator 24 is joined to surfaces of the frame 14 and the gas passage forming member 22. A porous layer 26 having continuous pores is located between the gas passage forming member 22 and the separator 24. A drainage promoting member 30 formed of a porous material having continuous pores is provided to communicate with a downstream end of a second gas passage T2 of the second gas passage forming member 22 and to communicate with a downstream end of the continuous pores of the porous layer 26.

Abstract: A fuel battery includes an oxidant gas flow passage having a downstream section, in which a gas diffusion porous body is arranged. The fuel battery includes a fuel gas flow passage having a downstream section, in which a gas diffusion porous body is arranged. A cooling medium flow passage is formed between a first separator of each unit cell of the fuel battery and a second separator of a unit cell adjacent to the unit cell. The flowing direction of a cooling medium in the cooling medium flow passage is the same as that of oxidant gas in the oxidant gas flow passage. An upstream section of the cooling medium flow passage is located closer to a surface of a membrane-electrode assembly that faces the oxidant gas flow passage adjacent to the cooling medium flow passage as compared with a downstream section of the cooling medium flow passage.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (15) formed by a solid electrolyte membrane (16) and electrode catalyst layers (17, 18) is interposed between a pair of frames (13, 14). Gas diffusion layers (19, 20) are laminated onto the surface of the electrode catalyst layers (17, 18). A first gas passage forming member (21) is laminated onto the surface of the gas diffusion layer (19) while a second gas passage forming member (22) is laminated onto the surface of the gas diffusion layer (20). Separators (23, 24) contact surfaces of the frame (13, 14) and the first and seccond gas passage forming member (21, 22). A plurality of first and second straight grooves (21c, 21d) are formed on the first gas passage forming member (21), such that the widths (w1, w2) differ from each other, and cross-sectional areas of the paths for the first and second gas passages (T1, T2) differ from each other.

Abstract: An electrode structure 15 is received in a joint portion of frames 13, 14. A first gas diffusion layer 19 and a first gas passage forming member 21 are arranged on a first surface of the electrode structure 15. A second gas diffusion layer 20 and a second gas passage forming member 22 are formed on a second surface of the electrode structure 15. A separator 23 is joined with a surface of the frame 13 and a surface of the gas passage forming member 21. A separator 24 is joined with a surface of the frame 14 and a surface of the gas passage forming member 22. A water passage 28 is formed between a flat plate 25 of the gas passage forming member 22 and the separator 24. The water passage 28 has a depth set to a value smaller than depth of a gas passage T2 of the gas passage forming member 22. Generated water is introduced from the gas passage T2 of the gas passage forming member 22 to the water passage 28 through capillary action via communication holes 29.

Abstract: An electrode structure 15 is accommodated in a joint portion of frames 13 and 14. A first gas diffusion layer 19 and a first gas passage forming member 21 are laid on a first surface of the electrode structure 15, and a second gas diffusion layer 20 and a second gas passage forming member 22 are laid on a second surface of the electrode structure 15. A separator 23 is joined to surfaces of the frame 13 and the gas passage forming member 21, and a separator 24 is joined to surfaces of the frame 14 and the gas passage forming member 22. A porous layer 26 having continuous pores is located between the gas passage forming member 22 and the separator 24. A drainage promoting member 30 formed of a porous material having continuous pores is provided to communicate with a downstream end of a second gas passage T2 of the second gas passage forming member 22 and to communicate with a downstream end of the continuous pores of the porous layer 26.

Abstract: Each of collectors 22 of an electrode structure 20, which partially constitutes a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, is formed from a metal lath MR having a large number of through-holes. A stopping portion 22a in which the through-holes are reduced in diameter is formed at a peripheral end portion of the collector 22. The peripheral end portion of the collector 22 is folded; subsequently, the folded peripheral end portion is pressed, thereby forming the stopping portion 22a. A resin seal portion 23 for sealing introduced fuel gas and oxidizer gas is formed integrally with the stopping portions 22a by insert molding which is performed such that an injected molten resin encloses the stopping portions 22a. The resin seal portion 23 formed integrally with the stopping portions 22a can reliably prevent inflow of the molten resin toward central portions of the collectors 22.

Abstract: A fuel cell composed of a plurality of cell function assemblies of each of which includes a set of spaced electrolytic membranes, two pairs of electrode plates in contact with opposite surfaces of each of the electrolytic membranes, a set of separators, and a set of six support frames assembled to retain the electrolytic membranes and separators in position. In the fuel cell, the separators each are in the form of a flat plate of synthetic resin integrally provided with a plurality of spaced projections made of pressed carbon powder and retained in contact with the electrode plates to form a pair of reaction chambers at opposite sides of each of the electrolytic membranes.