Abstract: There has been a problem that the cell units cannot bear the load exerted on the units while being stacked since a fuel cell stack including a refrigerant channel formed between cell units each having an even number of electrolyte/electrode structures (MEA) and metal separators which are alternated does not have any structure supporting the separators forming the refrigerant channel in a stacking direction. In order to solve the above problem, in each of a first power generating unit and a second power generating unit, projections formed at the buffer portions of the separators are disposed in the same positions in the stacking direction with the MEA interposed therebetween. Since between the first and second power generating units, the projections of the buffer portions are staggered, the projections of the first and second power generating units are thereby disposed in the same positions in the stacking direction.

Abstract: A coolant supply passage, a coolant discharge passage, and an air-releasing passage extend through first and second metal plates of a metal separator in a stacking direction of the first and second metal plates. The coolant supply passage and the coolant discharge passage are provided at vertically middle positions of opposite horizontal ends of the separator. A coolant flow field is connected between the coolant supply passage and the coolant discharge passage. The air-releasing passage for releasing air from the coolant flow field is formed above the coolant discharge passage. At least part of the air-releasing passage is positioned above the top of the coolant flow field.

Abstract: An oxygen-containing gas flow field is formed on a surface of a cathode side metal separator of a fuel cell. The oxygen-containing gas flow field is connected between an oxygen-containing gas supply passage and an oxygen-containing gas discharge passage. A coolant flow field is formed on the other surface of the cathode side metal separator, on the back of the oxygen-containing gas flow field. The cathode side metal separator has linear guide ridges protruding from an intermediate height area toward the oxygen-containing gas flow field to form a continuous guide flow field, and bosses protruding from the intermediate height area toward the coolant flow field to form an embossed flow field.

Abstract: A first separator to which a resin film is joined beforehand is set in a cavity formed between a lower die and an upper die of an injection molding machine. At the time of die locking by moving the upper die toward the lower die, in the case where the total thickness of the resin film and the first separator is larger than a predetermined dimension, the resin film is pressed by the lower die or the upper die, and thus, the resin film is deformed by compression within its elastic deformation range.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell in which an electrolyte membrane-electrode structure is held between the first separator and a second separator. The electrolyte membrane-electrode structure comprises a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, a cathode-side electrode and an anode-side electrode. An end portion of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane projects outwardly beyond end portions of gas diffusion layers, and the both surfaces of the end portion of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane are held between the first protective film and a second protective film. The thickness of the first protective film is set to be thinner than the thickness of the second protective film.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of power generation cells stacked in a direction of gravity. In a cathode side separator of the power generation cell, an oxygen-containing gas discharge passage is connected to an oxygen-containing gas flow field, and a water guide member is provided for the oxygen-containing gas discharge passage for allowing condensed water to be directly dropped in the direction of gravity along the oxygen-containing gas discharge passage. The water guide member is a plate member protruding into the oxygen-containing gas discharge passage and inclined toward the direction of gravity.

Abstract: A fuel cell is formed by stacking first cell units and second cell units alternately. An inlet buffer and an outlet buffer are formed on a surface of a first metal separator of the first cell unit. Bosses are provided in the inlet buffer and the outlet buffer of the first metal separator. An inlet buffer and an outlet buffer are formed on a surface of the second metal separator of the first cell unit. Continuous guide ridges are formed in the inlet buffer and the outlet buffer of the second metal separator. The bosses and the continuous guide ridges are provided at positions overlapped with each other in the stacking direction.

Abstract: In a fuel cell module, a first membrane electrode assembly is sandwiched between a first metal separator and a second metal separator, and a second membrane electrode assembly is sandwiched between the second metal separator and the third metal separator. An oxygen-containing gas distribution section connected to a first oxygen-containing gas flow field is formed between the first metal separator and the second metal separator. The second metal separator has holes connecting the oxygen-containing gas distribution section to a second oxygen-containing gas flow field.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a cell unit. The cell unit includes a first separator, a second separator, and an electrolyte-electrode assembly. The electrolyte-electrode assembly is sandwiched between the first separator and the second separator in a stacking direction. The outer periphery of the electrolyte-electrode assembly is integrally provided with frame members composed of a polymer material. Fluid communication holes are provided as through holes in the stacking direction in each of the frame members. The seal member is sandwiched between the frame members that are adjacent to each other in the stacking direction. The first and second separators each have two plates with an identical outer shape. Each of the frame members has a rib projecting in a thickness direction of the frame member, at least around one of an outermost periphery of the frame member and the fluid communication holes.

Abstract: An oxidant gas conduit communicating with both an oxidant gas inlet communication hole and an oxidant gas outlet communication hole is formed in a surface of a cathode-side metallic separator which forms a fuel cell. Continuous linear guide ridges which protrude from intermediate height sections to the oxidant gas conduit side and form continuous guide conduits are provided on the cathode-side metallic separator. The linear guide ridges are continuously connected to ends of rectilinear conduit ridges which form rectilinear conduits, are provided with bend portions, and are set to lengths which are different from each other in a step-like manner.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and first and second metal plates sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. The first metal plate has positioning ribs for positioning the outer region of the membrane electrode assembly. The first and second metal plates are positioned in alignment with each other by the first and second insulating bushings attached to first and second positioning holes of the first and second metal plates. Further, the first and second metal plates sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly are fastened together by a plurality of metal clip members.

Abstract: A fuel cell according to the present invention includes a power generation cell. The power generation cell is formed by sandwiching a membrane electrode assembly between a first metal separator and a second metal separator. An oxygen-containing gas flow field is formed on one surface of the first metal separator, and a coolant flow field is formed on the other surface of the first metal separator. The first metal separator includes a corrugated metal plate. A resin frame member is provided on one surface of the metal plate, and a rubber seal is provided on the other surface of the metal plate. An oxygen-containing gas supply passage, an oxygen-containing gas discharge passage, a coolant supply passage, a coolant discharge passage, a fuel gas supply passage, and a fuel gas discharge passage extend through the metal plate, the resin frame member, and the rubber seal.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a stack body formed by stacking a plurality of power generation cells in a stacking direction. At opposite ends of the stack body in the stacking direction, end power generation cells are provided. An end coolant flow field is formed on a separator of the end power generation cell. The flow rate of the coolant in the end coolant flow field is smaller than the flow rate of the coolant in a coolant flow field in each of the power generation cells. Specifically, the number of flow grooves of the end coolant flow field is smaller than the number of flow grooves of the coolant flow field.

Abstract: There has been a problem that the cell units cannot bear the load exerted on the units while being stacked since a fuel cell stack including a refrigerant channel formed between cell units each having an even number of electrolyte/electrode structures (MEA) and metal separators which are alternated does not have any structure supporting the separators forming the refrigerant channel in a stacking direction. In order to solve the above problem, in each of a first power generating unit and a second power generating unit, projections formed at the buffer portions of the separators are disposed in the same positions in the stacking direction with the MEA interposed therebetween. Since between the first and second power generating units, the projections of the buffer portions are staggered, the projections of the first and second power generating units are thereby disposed in the same positions in the stacking direction.

Abstract: A fuel cell is formed by stacking a membrane electrode assembly and separators alternately. Each of the separators includes first and second metal plates. A coolant flow field is formed between the first and second metal plates. The coolant flow field is connected to inlet buffers and outlet buffers. Protrusions for limiting the flow of a coolant are provided at the inlet buffers and the outlet buffers on upper and lower opposite end positions of the coolant flow field.

Abstract: An oxygen-containing gas flow field is formed on a surface of a first metal separator. The oxygen-containing gas flow field is connected between an oxygen-containing gas supply passage and an oxygen-containing gas discharge passage. The oxygen-containing gas flow field comprises oxygen-containing gas flow grooves, and ends of the oxygen-containing gas flow grooves are extended outwardly beyond ends of electrode catalyst layer of a membrane electrode assembly, and connected to an inlet buffer and an outlet buffer. When the purging process is performed at the time of stopping operation of the fuel cell, the purging air supplied to the oxygen-containing gas flow field discharges water retained in the electrode catalyst layers from the ends to the outlet buffer.

Abstract: An oxygen-containing gas flow field for supplying an oxygen-containing gas from an oxygen-containing gas supply passage to an oxygen-containing gas discharge passage is formed on a first metal plate. The oxygen-containing gas flow field includes oxygen-containing gas flow grooves as serpentine flow grooves having two turn regions T1, T2. The oxygen-containing gas flow grooves have substantially the same length. The oxygen-containing gas flow grooves are connected to an inlet buffer and an outlet buffer at opposite ends. The inlet buffer and the outlet buffer have a substantially triangular shape, and are substantially symmetrical with each other.

Abstract: A fuel cell is formed by stacking first cell units and second cell units alternately. An inlet buffer and an outlet buffer are formed on a surface of a first metal separator of the first cell unit. Bosses are provided in the inlet buffer and the outlet buffer of the first metal separator. An inlet buffer and an outlet buffer are formed on a surface of the second metal separator of the first cell unit. Continuous guide ridges are formed in the inlet buffer and the outlet buffer of the second metal separator. The bosses and the continuous guide ridges are provided at positions overlapped with each other in the stacking direction.

Abstract: An oxygen-containing gas flow field is formed on a surface of a cathode side metal separator of a fuel cell. The oxygen-containing gas flow field is connected between an oxygen-containing gas supply passage and an oxygen-containing gas discharge passage. A coolant flow field is formed on the other surface of the cathode side metal separator, on the back of the oxygen-containing gas flow field. The cathode side metal separator has linear guide ridges protruding from an intermediate height area toward the oxygen-containing gas flow field to form a continuous guide flow field, and bosses protruding from the intermediate height area toward the coolant flow field to form an embossed flow field.

Abstract: A power generation cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and first and second metal separators sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. Ridge members are formed integrally on the second metal separator, and these ridge members contact a first seal member of the first metal separator under pressure to form an inlet connection channel and an outlet connection channel. The coolant supply passage and the coolant flow field are connected through the inlet connection channel and the coolant discharge passage and the coolant flow field are connected through the outlet connection channel.