Abstract: Oxygen-containing gas discharge passages are provided in a first metal separator of a fuel cell of a fuel cell stack. The oxygen-containing gas discharge passages include an upper oxygen-containing gas discharge passages and a lower oxygen-containing gas discharge passage. In the first metal separator, a central position at the center between the upper oxygen-containing gas discharge passage and the lower oxygen-containing gas discharge passage is positioned below the center of an oxygen-containing gas flow field in the gravity direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods including a header flange to evenly distribute contact pressure across seals include, in some aspects, a plate including a bead and a flange edge. The bead includes a bead-side and a bead-corner. The flange edge defines an aperture through the plate. The flange edge also includes a first edge-portion proximate the bead-side and a second edge-portion proximate the bead-corner. The bead-side and the first edge-portion define a first edge-distance therebetween. The bead-corner and the second edge-portion define a second edge-distance therebetween. The second edge-distance is greater than the first edge-distance.

Abstract: A power generating cell is equipped with an MEA to which a resin frame is attached, and a first metal separator. In the first metal separator, there are provided an oxygen-containing gas flow field through which an oxygen-containing gas flows along an electrode surface, an outer peripheral bead surrounding the oxygen-containing gas flow field and which prevents leakage of a reaction gas, and a plurality of first bypass stopping convex portions that prevent bypassing of the reaction gas. Intermediate convex portions that support the resin film are provided between mutually adjacent ones of the first bypass stopping convex portions.

Abstract: In a power generation cell, first bypass stop protrusions for preventing bypassing of an oxygen-containing gas are provided between an end of an oxygen-containing gas flow field in a flow field width direction and an outer peripheral bead. An end wavy ridge includes curves recessed away from the outer peripheral bead. The first bypass stop protrusions are provided between the recessed curves and the outer peripheral bead. A first metal separator has first support protrusions for supporting a cathode, between the recessed curves and the first bypass stop protrusions.

Abstract: In a first metal separator, first bead structure for preventing leakage of a reactant gas protrudes in a separator thickness direction. The first bead structure includes bead seals in two lines (a passage bead and an outer bead) between a separator outer end and a portion of an oxygen-containing gas supply passage adjacent to the separator outer end. One of the bead seals in two lines has a wavy shape, and the other of the bead seals has a straight shape, as viewed in the separator thickness direction.

Abstract: A first metal separator of a power generation cell includes an oxygen-containing gas supply passage extending through the first metal separator in a separator thickness direction, a passage bead formed around the oxygen-containing gas supply passage, and a plurality of tunnels protruding from a side wall of the passage bead and expanded in the separator thickness direction. The plurality of tunnels have the same shape in cross section of a root connected to the passage bead.

Abstract: A coolant flow field is formed between first and second metal separator plates of a joint separator (fuel cell separator). First and second beads protrude from the first and second metal separator plates. The beads include inner beads for preventing leakage of a reactant gas. An air release passage and a coolant drain passage extend through the fuel cell separator in a separator thickness direction, and the air release passage and the coolant drain passage are connected to a coolant flow field through a first connection channel and a second connection channel formed by recesses on the back of protrusions of the first and second beads.

Abstract: A first metal separator of a power generation cell includes boss pairs. Each of the boss pairs includes two first bosses provided adjacent to a hole and adjacent to each other between a passage bead and an oxygen-containing gas flow field. A gap facing the hole is formed between the two first bosses. The second metal separator includes one second boss facing the boss pair through a resin film. The second boss extends over the two first bosses as viewed in a separator thickness direction.

Abstract: A first metal separator of a power generation cell includes bosses formed between an oxygen-containing gas flow field and a passage bead. A second metal separator includes bosses formed between a fuel gas flow field and a passage bead. A resin film is held and sandwiched between the passage bead of the first metal separator and the passage bead of the second metal separator. The protruding height of the bosses is lower than the protruding height of the passage bead.

Abstract: A first metal separator of a power generation cell includes an oxygen-containing gas flow field extending along an electrode surface of a membrane electrode assembly, an oxygen-containing gas supply passage connected to the oxygen-containing gas flow field and extending through the first metal separator in a separator thickness direction, and a passage bead formed around the oxygen-containing gas supply passage and protruding in the separator thickness direction. A water drainage channel configured to connect an inner space of the passage bead with the oxygen-containing gas supply passage is provided at a lower portion of the passage bead.

Abstract: Systems and methods including a header flange to evenly distribute contact pressure across seals include, in some aspects, a plate including a bead and a flange edge. The bead includes a bead-side and a bead-corner. The flange edge defines an aperture through the plate. The flange edge also includes a first edge-portion proximate the bead-side and a second edge-portion proximate the bead-corner. The bead-side and the first edge-portion define a first edge-distance therebetween. The bead-corner and the second edge-portion define a second edge-distance therebetween. The second edge-distance is greater than the first edge-distance.

Abstract: A plate includes a working face and a header portion. The working face defines a plurality of reactant channels thereon. The header portion is disposed in a peripheral area of the plate and includes a plurality of flanges and a plurality of beads. The flanges are disposed on the header portion and define a plurality of apertures through the plate. Each flange defines a respective one of the apertures. At least one of the apertures is fluidly connected to the reactant channels. The plurality of beads is disposed on the working face. Each bead is disposed about a respective one of the apertures and thereby defines a respective one of the flanges. Each bead defines a shape consisting of bead-corners and bead-sides. Each bead has a sealing surface thereon. The sealing surface is configured to deflect when exposed to a contact pressure to thereby provide a substantially fluid-tight seal.

Abstract: A fluid passage for supplying or discharging fluid extends through a metal separator in a separator thickness direction, and a bead seal configured to prevent leakage of the fluid protrudes from the metal separator. A folded portion is formed in an outer marginal portion of the metal separator or in an inner marginal portion of the fluid passage, and the folded portion is bent or curved in a direction opposite to the protruding direction of the bead seal.

Abstract: A plate assembly includes a first plate having a planar portion and a first bead seal formed therein. The first bead seal includes a first end surface spaced away from the planar portion. The first bead seal includes first and second opposing sides extending away from the first end surface and contiguous with the planar portion. The first bead seal includes a first reinforcement structure having a first plurality of walls each intersecting the first opposing side of the first bead seal. The first plate includes a second bead seal formed therein. The first bead seal and the second bead seal may be joined via the first reinforcement structure such that the first plurality of walls of the first reinforcement structure each intersect a third opposing side of the second bead seal.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, a separator, a reactant gas channel, a reactant gas manifold, and a buffer portion. The buffer portion includes a first buffer region and a second buffer region. The second buffer region is located in a vicinity of the reactant gas manifold and is deeper than the first buffer region in a stacking direction. Embossed portion groups are arranged in a plurality of rows in the second buffer region between the reactant gas manifold and the first buffer region. Each of the embossed portion groups includes a plurality of embossed portions. A disposition density of the plurality of embossed portions of one of the embossed portion groups in a vicinity of the reactant gas manifold is lower than a disposition density of the plurality of embossed portions of another of the embossed portion groups in a vicinity of the first buffer region.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, a separator, a reactant gas channel, a reactant gas manifold, and a buffer portion. The buffer portion includes a first buffer region and a second buffer region. The second buffer region is located in a vicinity of the reactant gas manifold and is deeper than the first buffer region in a stacking direction. Embossed portion groups are arranged in a plurality of rows in the second buffer region between the reactant gas manifold and the first buffer region. Each of the embossed portion groups includes a plurality of embossed portions. A disposition density of the plurality of embossed portions of one of the embossed portion groups in a vicinity of the reactant gas manifold is lower than a disposition density of the plurality of embossed portions of another of the embossed portion groups in a vicinity of the first buffer region.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and a resin frame member. The membrane electrode assembly includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first electrode includes a first catalyst layer and a first gas diffusion layer. The second electrode includes a second catalyst layer and a second gas diffusion layer. The resin frame member includes an outer peripheral portion and an inner peripheral projection. A first space includes a gap between an outer peripheral end face of the second gas diffusion layer and an inner-side end face of the inner peripheral projection. A second space includes a gap between an outer peripheral end face of the first gas diffusion layer and an inner-side wall face of the outer peripheral portion. The first space has a dimension different from a dimension of the second space.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and a resin frame member. The membrane electrode assembly includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first electrode includes a first catalyst layer and a first gas diffusion layer. The second electrode includes a second catalyst layer and a second gas diffusion layer. The resin frame member includes an outer peripheral portion and an inner peripheral projection. A first space includes a gap between an outer peripheral end face of the second gas diffusion layer and an inner-side end face of the inner peripheral projection. A second space includes a gap between an outer peripheral end face of the first gas diffusion layer and an inner-side wall face of the outer peripheral portion. The first space has a dimension different from a dimension of the second space.