Abstract: A fluid flow field plate for an electrochemical fuel cell comprises an electrically conductive plate element having a peripheral edge encapsulated in an electrically insulating gasket material. The plate element has a laterally projecting tab with a first face covered by the peripheral gasket material and a second face at least partially exposed through the gasket material. One or more edges of the laterally projecting tab may thereby be covered and protected by the peripheral gasket material and the gasket material of multiple stacked plates may together define a housing structure for a plurality of connection tabs also serving as a receptacle for receiving a connector module. A fuel cell stack assembly may have a layered construction including electrically conductive fluid flow field plates at least partially separated by gasket layers. The gasket layers each have at least one exposed edge that together define an open face of the stack assembly. The gasket layers each define a recess in the exposed edge.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly comprises a stack of fuel cells, each fuel cell having a cooling air conduit with an input/output ventilation aperture disposed on a ventilation face of the stack. The ventilation apertures form an array over said ventilation face of the stack. A first fan is configured to direct air flow through a first portion of the ventilation face and a second fan is configured to direct air flow through a second portion of the ventilation face. A reconfigurable plenum is in fluid communication with the first fan and the second fan and has a first configuration in which air is directed, by the first and second fans, through the first and second portions of the ventilation face in the same direction, and a second configuration in which air is directed, by at least one of the fans, respectively through the first and second portions of the ventilation face in opposing directions.

Abstract: The invention relates to fuel cell assemblies, and in particular to improvements relating to sealing of such assemblies, embodiments of which include a fuel cell assembly (200) comprising a membrane electrode assembly (104), a cathode separator plate (208) having a series of corrugations extending, and providing air flow paths, between first and second opposing edges of the plate, a gasket (105) providing a fluid seal around a peripheral edge of the membrane electrode assembly (104) between the separator plate (208) and the membrane electrode assembly (104) and a metal shim (107) disposed between the gasket (105) and the separator plate (208) over the peripheral edge of the membrane electrode assembly (104).

Abstract: The invention relates to separator plates (108) for fuel cells, and in particular to separator plates having particular geometries for improved edge sealing properties. Exemplary embodiments of the invention include a fuel cell separator plate (308) having first and second opposing faces (304, 305), the separator plate having a series of corrugations (301) extending, and providing air flow paths (302), between first and second opposing edges of the plate, wherein crests of corrugations along the first face (304) proximate the first edge (303) of the plate are depressed to be coplanar with adjacent crests of corrugations along the second face such that a greater contact surface on the second face (305) is provided compared with the first face (304).

Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly comprises a stack of fuel cells, each fuel cell having a cooling air conduit with an input/output ventilation aperture disposed on a ventilation face of the stack. The ventilation apertures form an array over said ventilation face of the stack. A first fan is configured to direct air flow through a first portion of the ventilation face and a second fan is configured to direct air flow through a second portion of the ventilation face. A reconfigurable plenum is in fluid communication with the first fan and the second fan and has a first configuration in which air is directed, by the first and second fans, through the first and second portions of the ventilation face in the same direction, and a second configuration in which air is directed, by at least one of the fans, respectively through the first and second portions of the ventilation face in opposing directions.

Abstract: A bipolar fuel cell plate (300) for use in a fuel cell comprising a plurality of flow field channels (704) and a coolant distribution structure (708) formed as part of the fluid flow field plate. The coolant distribution structure is configured to direct coolant droplets (701) into the flow field channels. The coolant distribution structure comprises one or more elements (710) associated with one or more flow field channels, the elements having a first surface (712) for receiving a coolant droplet and a second surface (714) having a shape that defines a coolant droplet detachment region for directing a coolant droplet into the associated field flow channel.

Abstract: In aspects of the disclosure, a fuel cartridge wherein the fuel is in a powdered form is admixed with inert materials such as alumina or other ceramics to improve thermal conductivity. Said cartridge having fuel zones, heating zones, and controllers to selectively heat fuel zones and thereby generate hydrogen via decomposition of fuel is disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel cell plate assembly (400) comprising: a bipolar plate (102) having a port (104) for receiving a fluid; a fluid diffusion layer (210); and an electrode defining an active area (105). The fluid diffusion layer is configured to communicate a fluid received at the port (104) to the active area (105).

Abstract: An electrical connection system for cell voltage monitoring in a fuel cell stack. A fuel cell stack assembly comprises a plurality of fuel cells disposed in a stacked configuration, each cell substantially parallel to an x-y plane and including an electrical tab extending laterally from an edge of a plate in the cell in the x-direction to form an array of tabs extending along a side face of the fuel cell stack in a z-direction orthogonal to the x-y plane. A connector device comprises a planar member having a plurality of spaced-apart slits formed in an edge of the planar member, each slit having an electrically conductive material on an inside face of the slit. The slits are spaced along the edge of the planar member and configured to receive the tabs by sliding engagement in the y-direction.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly comprises a plurality of fuel cells in a stack, the stack defining two opposing parallel end faces. An end plate is disposed at each opposing end face of the stack. Each end plate defines a compression surface adjacent to and in compressive relationship with a respective one of the two opposing parallel end faces. A coupling mechanism is attached to the end plates to thereby maintain the fuel cells in the stack under compression. At least one, preferably both, of the end plates comprise a preformed element defining the compression surface, the preformed element being configured with a predetermined curvature such that the compression surface is a convex surface when the preformed element is not under load whereas, under the application of the load to maintain the fuel cells under compression, flexure of the preformed element between elements of the coupling mechanism causes the compression surface to become a substantially planar surface.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly comprising an enclosure having a fuel cell stack mounted therein. The fuel cell stack has an inlet face for receiving coolant/oxidant fluid and an outlet face for expelling said coolant/oxidant fluid. The fuel cell stack further includes a pair of end faces extending transversely between the inlet face and outlet face. The enclosure defines a flow path for the coolant/oxidant fluid that is configured to guide the coolant/oxidant fluid to the inlet face, from the outlet face, and over at least one of the end faces.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly comprises a stack of fuel cells, each fuel cell having a cooling air conduit with an input/output ventilation aperture disposed on a ventilation face of the stack. The ventilation apertures form an array over said ventilation face of the stack. A first fan is configured to direct air flow through a first portion of the ventilation face and a second fan is configured to direct air flow through a second portion of the ventilation face. A reconfigurable plenum is in fluid communication with the first fan and the second fan and has a first configuration in which air is directed, by the first and second fans, through the first and second portions of the ventilation face in the same direction, and a second configuration in which air is directed, by at least one of the fans, respectively through the first and second portions of the ventilation face in opposing directions.

Abstract: A method of shutting down operation of a fuel cell system is disclosed, comprising a fuel cell stack, the method comprising the sequential steps of: i) ceasing a supply of fuel to the fuel cell stack; ii) closing a shut-off valve on an exhaust line in fluid communication with a cathode system of the fuel cell system, the cathode system comprising a cathode fluid flow path passing through the fuel cell stack; iii) pressurizing the cathode system with an air compressor in fluid communication with a cathode air inlet port in the fuel cell stack; and iv) ejecting water from the cathode flow path.

Abstract: The disclosure, in some aspects, relates to a method and apparatus for assembling a laminated fuel cell, in which an assembly head comprising one or more punches is used for dividing portions from sheet material and for transferring the portions to an electrode plate for lamination.

Abstract: A coolant storage tank (1) for storing coolant in a fuel cell system (2), the coolant storage tank comprising a plurality of individually controllable heater elements (7, 8a, 8b). A coolant storage tank comprising a first heater element (7) located at a base of the coolant storage tank and a second heater element (8a) is also disclosed. A coolant storage tank comprising a first coolant storage compartment (50) in fluid communication with a second coolant storage compartment (51), the first coolant storage compartment including at least a first heater element (54) and wherein the second coolant storage compartment is unheated is also disclosed. A method of melting frozen coolant in a coolant storage tank is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack including a plurality of fuel cells, each end of the fuel cell stack having a heater plate disposed between a current collector plate and an end plate, each heater plate being thermally insulated from a respective end plate, wherein each heater plate comprises a heating element in the form of an electrically conductive track; and, wherein the heater plate comprises a pair of terminals extending from an edge of the heater plate, the terminals being separated by an air gap.

Abstract: An electrical connection system for cell voltage monitoring in a fuel cell stack. A fuel cell stack assembly comprises a plurality of fuel cells disposed in a stacked configuration, each cell substantially parallel to an x-y plane and including an electrical tab extending laterally from an edge of a plate in the cell in the x-direction to form an array of tabs extending along a side face of the fuel cell stack in a z-direction orthogonal to the x-y plane. A connector device comprises a planar member having a plurality of spaced-apart slits formed in an edge of the planar member, each slit having an electrically conductive material on an inside face of the slit. The slits are spaced along the edge of the planar member and configured to receive the tabs by sliding engagement in the y-direction.

Abstract: A method of processing a linked series of metallic plates, in which each plate (9) is connected to an adjacent plate along adjoining edges (8), the method comprising: providing the series of plates as a first fan-folded stack of plates (1); drawing the plates in sequence from the stack; applying a surface treatment to one or more of the plates; and stacking the plates in reverse order to form a second fan-folded stack of plates (5).

Abstract: A current collector component (206) for a fuel cell. The current collector component (206) comprises a first electrically conductive plate (210) configured to form a wall of a fluid confinement volume of a fuel cell; and a second electrically conductive plate (212) in electrical contact with the first electrically conductive plate (210). The second electrically conductive plate (212) comprises an external electrical connection (208). The second electrically conductive plate (212) has a higher electrical conductivity than the first electrically conductive plate (210). The first electrically conductive plate (210) has a higher resistance to corrosion than the second electrically conductive plate (212).

Abstract: A fuel cell (FC) system operating as its own hydrogen leak detector. The system including at least one cathode and cathode conduit for passage of oxidant to the cathode and a housing containing one or more FCs and defining a plenum around the FC. A ventilation system forces air from the plenum into the cathode conduit and a control system monitors the FC voltage and detects a drop in voltage attributable to hydrogen in the cathode conduit. A control system may include actual cell voltage monitoring of the FC or of one or more cells in the FC stack and a processor for receiving inputs indicative of the operation of the FC or FC stack and/or to determine an expected voltage of FC(s) being monitored and whether the difference between the actual and expected voltage(s) exceeds a predetermined threshold indicative of a predetermined level of hydrogen in the cathode conduit.