Abstract: A fuel cell electrode structure includes a membrane electrode assembly including an electrolyte membrane between a pair or electrodes, and a frame being integrally formed with the membrane electrode assembly supporting the membrane electrode assembly from the peripheral side. The membrane electrode assembly includes a gas diffusion layer on the surface, and a sealing member for sealing the periphery of the membrane electrode assembly is provided on the frame. The sealing member includes a lip portion, and at least partly includes extended portion that extends to the membrane electrode assembly. The extended portion is thinner than the lip portion of the sealing member, and the end face of the extended portion is in contact with the end face of the gas diffusion layer.

Abstract: A fuel cell electrode structure includes a membrane electrode assembly including an electrolyte membrane between a pair or electrodes, and a frame being integrally formed with the membrane electrode assembly supporting the membrane electrode assembly from the peripheral side. The membrane electrode assembly includes a gas diffusion layer on the surface, and a sealing member for sealing the periphery of the membrane electrode assembly is provided on the frame. The sealing member includes a lip portion, and at least partly includes extended portion that extends to the membrane electrode assembly. The extended portion is thinner than the lip portion of the sealing member, and the end face of the extended portion is in contact with the end face of the gas diffusion layer.

Abstract: Flow field plates in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells can be subject to ice blockages in certain areas during freeze start-up, e.g. the backfeed ports and slots used in some flow field plate designs which connect an outlet plenum channel for a reactant to its outlet. By incorporating a similar and adjacent relief backfeed port, slot and plenum channel arrangement in which the relief plenum channel is separated from the outlet plenum channel by a landing, a relief outlet for the reactant is provided through the adjacent gas diffusion layer.

Abstract: A bipolar plate assembly with integrated seal for a fuel cell with a subassembly having a formed metal cathode plate bonded to a formed metal anode plate. On at least one of the plates, two raised continuous ridges are formed on the outward surface of and around the perimeter of the plate, thereby creating a channel to contain the seal. In this design, a substantial portion of the channel area on the inward surface of the plate is in direct contact with and supported by the other plate. The channel and hence the seal are thus well supported during molding and under compression in the assembled fuel cell. Further, ducts traversing the seal region can advantageously be formed without affecting the functioning of the seal.

Abstract: Flow field plates in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells can be subject to ice blockages in certain areas during freeze start-up, e.g. the backfeed ports and slots used in some flow field plate designs which connect an outlet plenum channel for a reactant to its outlet. By incorporating a similar and adjacent relief backfeed port, slot and plenum channel arrangement in which the relief plenum channel is separated from the outlet plenum channel by a landing, a relief outlet for the reactant is provided through the adjacent gas diffusion layer.