Abstract: A unit cell of a fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and an anode side metal separator and a cathode side metal separator sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. A plurality of first supply holes and a plurality of second supply holes extend through a channel unit of the anode side metal separator, and the channel unit connects a fuel gas supply passage and a fuel gas flow field. A fuel gas from the fuel gas supply passage flows into the first supply holes, and flows through an inlet connection channel. The fuel gas flows into the second supply holes connected to an end of the inlet connection channel. The fuel gas flows toward the side of the membrane electrode assembly, and then, the fuel gas is supplied to an anode.

Abstract: A fuel cell has a unit cell in which a membrane electrode assembly, in which a pair of electrodes are provided on either side of an electrolyte membrane, is provided between a first separator and a second separator. Pin insertion holes are respectively provided in a plurality of portions in an outer periphery of each of the first and the second separators, and the pin insertion holes of the first separators are respectively coaxial with those of the second separator. A leg portion of a cell fastening pin made of resin is inserted through each pair of the coaxial pin insertion holes of the first and the second separators. The unit cell is fastened by fitting a flange portion formed at an end of the leg portion to the first separator, and fitting a hook portion formed at the other end of the leg portion to the second separator.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack has fuel cell units. Each of the fuel cell units includes first and second membrane electrode assemblies and first to third separators sandwiching the first and second membrane electrode assemblies. A positioning mechanism is used for positioning the first to third separators in alignment with each other. The positioning mechanism includes a first protruded portion and a second protruded portion. The first protruded portion protrudes from one surface of the second separator for positioning the first separator. The second protruded portion protrudes from the other surface of the second separator for positioning the third separator.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes unit cells. At one side of the unit cells, an oxygen-containing gas supply passage and a fuel gas discharge passage having different opening areas are provided. At the one side of the unit cells, a recess is provided near the fuel gas discharge passage having a relatively small opening area. A cell voltage terminal is provided in the recess such that the cell voltage terminal does not protrude outwardly from the side of the unit cells.

Abstract: In this fuel cell, among a pair of separators in which an electrically conductive portion which is made from an electrically conducting material is surrounded by an insulating portion which is made from an insulating material, a cell side terminal is provided in the inner surface of the insulating portion of at least one said separator, and extends from its interior circumferential side to its outer perimeter side, and is able to electrically connect the interior and exterior of the cell. This cell side terminal is made from a metallic plate, and its inner circumferential side end portion contacts the membrane electrode assembly, while its outer perimeter side end portion extends to the outer perimeter side of the insulating portion. This outer perimeter side end portion can be connected to a measurement side terminal.

Abstract: Anodes are provided on a porous resin film, a polymer electrolyte membrane is provided on the anodes, and cathodes are provided on the polymer electrolyte membrane to form a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies as power generation units.

Abstract: A terminal plate of a fuel cell stack includes an electron conductive area and a passage area. The electron conductive area is connected to an anode. The passage area includes passages for supplying an oxygen-containing gas, a fuel gas, and coolant to a membrane electrode assembly. The electron conductive area is made of composite of foamed metal and insulating resin. The passage area is made of the insulating resin. The electron conductive area and the passage area are combined together by injection molding, for example.

Abstract: To provide the fuel cell system, which can prevents the imperfect combustion of the fuel gas in combustor caused by shortage of the air exhausted from the fuel cell so that the harmful components is not contained in the exhausted gas, and can prevents the decreasing of the cell voltage by enabling drainage of the produced water from fuel cell certainly. A flow rate controller 8 is provided in the position between the air compressor 4 and the fuel cell 1 of the air supply line 6. The control unit CU is connected to the air supply line 6, and set the openings of the flow rate controller 8 as temporally wide, and a flow rate of the air supplied to the fuel cell is increased for a predetermined period of time. Then, set the opening of the flow rate controller 8 as gradually narrow, and the flow rate of the air supplied to the fuel cell is decreased gradually.

Abstract: To provide the fuel cell system, which can prevents the imperfect combustion of the fuel gas in combustor caused by shortage of the air exhausted from the fuel cell so that the harmful components is not contained in the exhausted gas, and can prevents the decreasing of the cell voltage by enabling drainage of the produced water from fuel cell certainly.