Abstract: A mechanism for transferring a flexible sheet material (202) from a first substrate (203) to a second substrate (204) is disclosed, the mechanism having a head rotatable and translatable relative to the first and second substrates, the head (201) comprising a cylindrical curved portion (205) having an outer face (207) across which are provided openings (206) configured to apply air pressure to sheet material (202) contacting the outer surface (207) such that the head (201) is adapted to transfer the sheet material (202) from the first substrate (203) to the second substrate (204) by a combination of rotation and translation of the head (201).

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: An electrochemical fuel cell having an anode, an ion transfer membrane and a cathode has liquid water delivered to the fluid flow channels within the cathode so as to maintain a relative humidity of 100% throughout the fluid flow channels. A calibration method and apparatus is described for determining an optimum quantity or range of quantities of liquid water to be delivered to the cathode fluid flow channels under varying operating conditions. An operating method and apparatus is described that ensures an optimum quantity of liquid water is delivered to the cathode fluid flow channels under varying operating conditions.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly (100) comprising: an enclosure (120) for mounting a fuel cell stack (110) therein, the enclosure comprising an air flow path (160) extending between an air inlet (180) and an air outlet (190); and a fuel cell stack (110) having a plurality of cathode air coolant paths extending between a first face (111) and an opposing second face (112) of the stack, wherein the fuel cell stack is mounted within the enclosure to provide a first tapering air volume (140) between the first face of the stack and a first side wall (121) of the enclosure and a second tapering air volume (150) between the second face of the stack and a second opposing side wall (122) of the enclosure.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system (100) comprising a fuel cell stack (110) and a closed loop water cooling circuit for direct injection of cooling water into the stack (110), the method comprising: measuring an operational parameter of the fuel cell system (100) over a time period; adding an amount of water to the closed loop cooling circuit from the total amount of water generated during operation of the fuel cell stack (110) over the time period; and removing the amount of water from the closed loop cooling circuit generated during operation of the fuel cell stack (110) over the time period is automatically determined by the fuel cell system (100) as a function of the operational parameter.

Abstract: A fluid flow field plate for use in a fuel cell, the plate comprising a first plurality of channels formed in a first surface thereof and extending across the first surface in a predetermined pattern, the plate having a folded region along a lateral edge, the folded region comprising a plenum and an interface region, the plenum having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to an edge of the plate, the interface region comprising two adjacent and facing portions of the first surface.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly (100) comprising: an enclosure (120) for mounting a fuel cell stack (110) therein, the enclosure comprising an air flow path (160) extending between an air inlet (180) and an air outlet (190); and a fuel cell stack (110) having a plurality of cathode air coolant paths extending between a first face (111) and an opposing second face (112) of the stack, wherein the fuel cell stack is mounted within the enclosure to provide a first tapering air volume (140) between the first face of the stack and a first side wall (121) of the enclosure and a second tapering air volume (150) between the second face of the stack and a second opposing side wall (122) of the enclosure.

Abstract: A fluid flow field plate for use in a fuel cell, the plate comprising a first plurality of channels formed in a first surface thereof and extending across the first surface in a predetermined pattern, the plate having a folded region along a lateral edge, the folded region comprising a plenum and an interface region, the plenum having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to an edge of the plate, the interface region comprising two adjacent and facing portions of the first surface.

Abstract: A gasket for sealing internal surfaces of a fuel cell and formed of compressible material, the gasket comprising a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface for providing a fluid seal against opposing faces of a first fluid flow field plate and a second fluid flow field plate respectively, the gasket further comprising a third sealing surface for sealing against an outer perimeter region of a first surface of a membrane electrode assembly, the third sealing surface being entirely enclosed within a boundary defined by an inner perimeter of the second sealing surface.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly supplies water and water vapour by-product to a cooling water circuit delivered to a thermal storage tank from which it can be recycled to the fuel cell stack as direct input to the membrane electrode assemblies, for use as fuel/oxidant preheat and/or direct water injection to the membrane electrode assembly. The purity of water delivered to the membrane is thereby assured. The thermal storage tank allows for a decoupling of the thermal and electrical loads on the fuel cell stack in a combined heat and electrical power delivery unit. Under low external electrical loads, the fuel cell stack and its cooling circuit may be used at high capacity to provide hot water.

Abstract: An electrochemical fuel cell having an anode, an ion transfer membrane and a cathode has liquid water delivered to the fluid flow channels within the cathode so as to maintain a relative humidity of 100% throughout the fluid flow channels. A calibration method and apparatus is described for determining an optimum quantity or range of quantities of liquid water to be delivered to the cathode fluid flow channels under varying operating conditions. An operating method and apparatus is described that ensures an optimum quantity of liquid water is delivered to the cathode fluid flow channels under varying operating conditions.