Abstract: A bipolar fluid flow flied plate for a fuel cell delivers fuel to a porous anode electrode and oxidant to an adjacent porous cathode electrode. The flow field plate comprises an electrically conductive, non-porous sheet into which fluid flow conduits are formed. A first fluid flow channel is patterned into a first face of the sheet and a second fluid flow channel patterned into the opposite face of the sheet. The pattern of the first channel comprises an interdigitated comb that co-operates with a pattern of the second channel comprising a continous serpentine path, so that no portion of the first channel directly overlies the pattern of the second channel over a substantial active area of the sheet. This allows the channels to be formed with combined depths that exceed the total plate thickness, thereby increasing fluid flow volumes.

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: The present invention relates to a solid oxide fuel cell stack modular structure, in that, being an integration of a plurality of fuel cell modules, it can determine the amount of fuel cell modules to be stacked in the modular structure according to an actual power output demand while ensuring airtightness in the modular structure, and moreover, with the modularization design, each fuel cell module in the modular structure that is malfunctioning can be detached and removed easily from the stack individually so as to be replaced by another operative fuel cell module.

Abstract: In a process of manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly, seal-material flow holes (62a, 62b) in the form of through-holes are formed, separately from manifold holes (16a-16f), in the membrane electrode assembly prior to injection molding. When the membrane electrode assembly is placed in a mold for injection molding, the seal-material flow hole (62a) is located in a cavity (44a). When a seal material is supplied from a supply port (42) formed at a location where the manifold hole (16a) is formed, the seal material that flows toward the upper die (40a) passes the seal-material flow hole (62a) in the cavity (44a), and then flows toward the lower die (40b), so as to reduce the unevenness between the amounts of supply of the seal material to the upper die (40a) and the lower die (40b).

Abstract: There is realized a structure particularly suitable for inhibiting deformation of separators having a structure where the shapes of projections and recesses are inverted from each other on the front side and the back side of each separator as in a pressed metal separator. Between adjacent separators, there is formed either a power generation region where MEAs and frame members for holding at least a part of the MEAs are inserted or a refrigerant flow region where neither the MEAs nor the frame members are inserted. A deformation inhibiting region for inhibiting deformation of each separator is formed by a projection provided on the separator. Also, a projection for inhibiting the separator from deforming at the deformation inhibiting region or nearby is formed on each frame member. The projection is projected toward the back side of the deformation inhibiting region, where the deformation inhibiting region is a recess on the back side of the separator.

Abstract: A fuel cell unit (1) according to the present invention comprises a fuel cell (6) having an inner electrode layer (16), an outer electrode layer (20) and a through passage (15); and inner and outer electrode terminals (24, 26) fixed at the opposite ends (6a, 6b) of the fuel cell (6). The fuel cell (6) has an inner electrode peripheral surface (21) electrically communicating with the inner electrode layer (16) and an outer electrode peripheral surface (22) electrically communicating with the outer electrode layer (20). The inner and outer electrode terminals are respectively disposed so that they cover over the inner and outer electrode peripheral surfaces (21, 22) and they are electrically connected thereto. The inner and outer electrode terminals have respective connecting passages which are communicated with the through passage (15).

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell stack composed of at least one fuel cell (1) and at least two separator structures (2, 2?). Said separator structures (2, 2?) are open on at least one side towards the exterior in order to allow passive exchange of air. Also, said separator structures comprise a channel system (53, 53?) for guiding fuel. The fuel cell can be embodied as a bi-fuel cell (1) composed of two electric cells. The anodes or cathodes of the two electric cells are arranged opposite each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a repeating unit for a fuel cell stack comprising a membrane electrode assembly and a flow field designed to supply an active surface of the membrane electrode assembly with gas and comprising at least a gas passage orifice. According to the invention it is contemplated that a gas-tight gas flow barrier is disposed between the active surface and the gas passage orifice so that gas passing through the first gas passage orifice flows around the gas flow barrier, wherein the projection of the gas flow barrier towards the periphery of the active surface is at least half as long as the projection of the gas passage orifice towards the periphery of the active surface.

Abstract: A separator unit is inserted between adjacent stacked fuel cells, in each of which an electrolyte layer is sandwiched between a fuel electrode and an oxygen electrode. The separator unit includes a sheet-shaped gas barrier member, which blocks a gas, and a collector, which is inserted between the gas barrier member and the fuel electrode or the oxygen electrode and which is provided with a plurality of openings that diffuse the gas. The collector is provided with an electrode contact portion, which is made up of a flat, porous panel that is in contact with the fuel electrode or the oxygen electrode and collects power, and a gas barrier member contact portion, which is made up of a linear piece that forms a gas flow route by being in contact with the gas barrier member and supports the electrode contact portion. A height dimension of the gas barrier member contact portion is smaller than an equivalent diameter of an opening in the electrode contact portion.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides a fuel cell that includes, hollow structural bodies each provided with an internal space for reacting a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, each hollow structural body including, a separator having a perimeter wall section that follows along a rim, a cell plate having an electricity-generating cell having its outer perimeter joined to the separator such that a space for a gas to flow through is formed between the separator and the cell plate, a gas supply manifold to supply one of the reactant gases, a gas discharge manifold to discharge the reactant gas, and a gas introducing flow passage to introduce said reactant gas from the gas supply manifold to the perimeter wall section of the separator, wherein the reactant gas introduced into the gas introducing passage flows from the vicinity of the perimeter wall section of the separator to the gas discharge manifold.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell includes a separator which has a fuel gas passageway and an oxidant gas passageway thereinside, and a plurality of power generation cells arranged in a parallel connection state on the same plane. Each of the power generation cells has a solid electrolyte layer sandwiched between a fuel electrode layer and an oxidant electrode layer. The oxidant gas passageway may start at an edge portion of the separator, extend to a central portion of the separator at a position enclosed by the power generation cells, be divided at the central portion, and be introduced in a portion facing the respective oxidant electrode layer.

Abstract: A fuel cell is formed by stacking membrane electrode assemblies and metal separators. The metal separator is formed by adhering and joining together an anode separator and a cathode separator. In the metal separator, a step is provided on an outer circumferential end of the cathode separator, the step being spaced from an outer circumferential end of the anode separator. An adhesive layer is formed on the step between the outer circumferential end of the cathode separator and the outer circumferential end of the anode separator.

Abstract: A separator includes a plurality of first and second sandwiching sections, a plurality of first bridges connected thereto, and first and second fuel gas supply units integrally connected to the first bridges. Electrolyte electrode assemblies are sandwiched between the first and second sandwiching sections. A fuel gas supply channel is formed in each of the first bridges. A fuel gas supply passage extends through the first and second fuel gas supply units in a stacking direction. A pressure loss generator mechanism is provided in the fuel gas supply channel. The pressure loss generator mechanism generates a pressure loss over the entire fuel gas supply channel for distributing a fuel gas equally to each of the electrolyte electrode assemblies.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), at least one separator plate disposed on a first side of the MEA, and at least one separator plate disposed on a second side of the MEA. The separator plate on the first side of the MEA may form a first group of channels for conducting a first reactant. The separator plate disposed on the second side of the MEA may form a second group of channels for conducting a second reactant. The first group of channels include a first set and a second set of channels alternatively positioned. Each of the first set of channels is positioned adjacent to a channel of the second set. Each of the two sets of channels includes an input controlled by an input valve and an output controlled by an output valve.

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: Even when a reaction gas flows into a gap formed between a gasket and a membrane electrode assembly, the flowing of the reaction gas to the outside without flowing through an electrode is prevented and thus a decrease in power generation efficiency is prevented. In order to allow the water vapor contained in the reaction gas that flows into an anode-side gap 10a formed between an anode-side gasket 9a and a membrane electrode assembly 5 to condense in at least a part of the gap 10a, and to allow the condensed water to fill the gap 10a, the upstream portion of a cooling fluid channel 8a of an anode-side separator 6a is formed such that it includes a region corresponding to the gap 10a, and the upstream portion is formed such that it includes a region corresponding to a middle stream portion and subsequent portion of a fuel gas channel 7a.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention comprises a fuel cell bipolar plate comprising a substrate comprising a first face, a reactant gas flow field defined in the first face, the reactant gas flow field comprising a plurality of lands and channels, and a plurality of microgrooves formed in the first face.

Abstract: There is provided a method for manufacturing a fuel cell, such as a hydrogen separation membrane fuel cell, having in its anode a hydrogen separation membrane (12f) selectively permeable by hydrogen. An electrolyte membrane (10) is formed on the hydrogen separation membrane, and the curvature of the electrolyte membrane is changed to generate a compressive stress in the electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A metallic material for a conductive member has good corrosion resistance and low contact resistance. The metallic material has 0.3 ?m or less of mean spacing of local peaks of the surface roughness profile. A proton-exchange membrane fuel cell includes a proton-exchange membrane, an electrode, a gas diffusing layer, and a separator using the metallic material for a conductive member, where the metallic material for a conductive member includes a stainless steel and includes 0.03% or less C, 0.03% or less N, 16 to 45% Cr, 0.1 to 5.0% Mo, 0.03% or less (C+N), by mass, and balance of Fe and inevitable impurities, and where the metallic material for a conductive member has 0.3 ?m or less of mean spacing of local peaks of the surface roughness profile.

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: The present invention concerns a separator plate for use in a fuel cell stack with a substantially circular or oval main surface wherein a fluid flow path is defined by a plurality of channels extending substantially in parallel to each other and leading a fluid from a fluid supply port to a fluid discharge port. Adjacent channels merge such as to decrease the number of parallel channels from the supply port to the discharge port, thereby decreasing a cross sectional area of the flow path.

Abstract: An interconnect for a fuel cell stack includes a first set of gas flow channels in a first portion of the interconnect, and a second set of gas flow channels in second portion of the interconnect. The channels of the first set have a larger cross sectional area than the channels of the second set.

Abstract: In a fuel cell stack, gas channels and heat medium channels are disposed on one surface and the other surface of one plate, respectively. Gas channels are disposed on the other plate such that they face the gas channels in the one plate. A gas inlet header is disposed at the upper part of the gas channel in the plate and a heat medium inlet header is disposed at the upper part of the heat medium channels such that they face the gas inlet header on the other side. Cooling water as a heat medium is supplied from a heat medium supply manifold hole to a heat medium inlet header. Water vapor in the reaction gas (wet fuel gas) is prevented from being condensed in the inlet area of the gas channels by heating the gas inlet header by heat conduction.

Abstract: A planar fuel cell stack is provided. The planar fuel cell stack comprises an anode interconnect structure comprising a corrugated first internal manifold connected to a first anode flowfield; a cathode interconnect structure comprising a corrugated second internal manifold connected to a first cathode flowfield; and a thermally active, surface insulated metallic seal disposed between the corrugated parts of the anode and cathode interconnects, such that the thermally active metallic seal responds upon the application of heat to provide sealing between the anode interconnect structure and the cathode interconnect structure.

Abstract: Flow guides forming an inlet channel are formed on a surface of a metal separator of a fuel cell. The flow guides overlap a section of an outer seal provided on the other surface of the metal separator. When a load is applied to the flow guides and the overlapping section in a stacking direction of the fuel cell, the flow guides and the overlapping section are deformed substantially equally in the stacking direction to the same extent. The line pressure of the flow guides and the line pressure of the overlapping section are substantially the same. The seal length L1 of the flow guides and the seal length L2 of the overlapping section are substantially the same.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and a metal separator. The metal separator is stacked with the membrane electrode assembly. A reactant gas passage is provided between the membrane electrode assembly and the metal separator to supply a reactant gas along an electrode surface. The metal separator includes a reactant gas communication hole to communicate with the reactant gas passage. The metal separator further includes a plurality of groove groups each having a plurality of grooves press-formed to allow the reactant gas communication hole to communicate with the reactant gas passage. The grooves adjacent to each other are spaced apart by a first distance. The groove groups adjacent to each other are spaced apart by a second distance larger than the first distance.

Abstract: A fluid cell fluid flow plate comprises: a fluid flow plate, having one face being a fluid flow face for receiving a reactive fluid and the other face being a non-active surface, provided with a first manifold, a second manifold, and a flow channel disposed on the fluid flow face; and a shell passageway piece, configured with parallel-disposed first face and second face that are connected to each other through a connecting face with at least one through hole provided thereon; wherein the flow channel being respectively connected to the first manifold through a first opening and to the second manifold through a second opening; and when the shell passageway piece and the fluid flow plate are combined, the first face contacts the fluid flow face, the second face contacts the non-active surface, and the first manifold communicates with the first opening by the through hole.

Abstract: In at least one of flow distribution areas 35 provided on a separator 15, plurality of first projections 46 formed in a region corresponding to a first section (parted regions 32a and 32c) of a center area (including parted regions 32a through 32c) having a relatively high flow rate of a first fluid (refrigerant) are designed to have a larger diameter of a cross section than plurality of first projections 46 formed in a region corresponding to a second section (parted region 32b) of the center area having a relatively low flow rate of the first fluid. This arrangement effectively attains a substantially uniform flow rate distribution of a fluid in a fluid flow path formed on a separator, which is configured to have concavo-convex structures formed in a mutually reversed relation on two opposed sides thereof.

Abstract: A fuel cell plate assembly is disclosed that comprises a first plate having a plurality of protuberances formed in a bottom of flow channels formed thereon, wherein the protuberances abut a bottom of flow channels formed on a second plate when the first plate and the second plate are disposed adjacent one another.

Abstract: Moreover, as a case of not using the press work, in a separator of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell described in a Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP-A 2001-76748, a gas channel is formed by printing an electrically conductive material onto an electrically conductive base material. To be specific, as the electrically conductive base material is used a molded plate formed of carbon powder and a thermosetting resin as main components, and as the electrically conductive material is used carbon paste containing carbon powder as a main component.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment includes a method of selectively electroplating an electrically conductive coating on portions of a first face of a bipolar plate for use in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. The first face of the bipolar plate defines at least one reactant gas flow channel and a plurality of lands adjacent the at least one channel. The electrically conductive coating may be selectively electroplated on a plurality of first portions of the lands leaving second portions of the lands uncoated by the electrically conductive coating.

Abstract: A fuel cell is provided. The fuel cell includes a medium member. Unit areas are formed at both sides of the medium member. The unit areas include outlets and inlets which allow a fuel to flow. First path members which have first flowpaths for circulating the fuel are disposed at the unit areas. Membrane-electrode assemblies are connected to the respective first path members. Second path members which have second flowpaths for circulating air are connected to the respective membrane-electrode assemblies.

Abstract: A separator of a fuel cell stack, which has flat surfaces that face MEAs, includes a cathode-side plate, an anode-side plate and an intermediate plate. The intermediate plate has a plurality of oxidant gas supply channel openings that communicate with an oxidant gas supply manifold and oxidant gas supply holes of the cathode-side plate, and a plurality of oxidant gas exhaust channel openings that communicate with an oxidant gas exhaust manifold and oxidant gas exhaust holes of the anode-side plate. The width and spacing of the oxidant gas exhaust channel openings are set to be larger than those of the oxidant gas supply channel openings.

Abstract: A flow channel plate adapted to a fuel cell apparatus is provided. The flow channel plate includes a separating film and a plurality of bar supporting members. The separating film is disposed between two components of the fuel cell apparatus, and the bar supporting members lean against the separating film and the two components to maintain a distance between the two components. The flow channel plate has low flow resistance.

Abstract: A type of fuel cell bipolar plates is constructed with multiple splitting and deflecting flow channels through which reactant flows are constantly contracted, expanded, split into more than one flow streams, and deflected in flow directions for improving reactant flow distribution, diffusion and water management.

Abstract: To mitigate bubble blockage in water passageways (78, 85), in or near reactant gas flow field plates (74, 81) of fuel cells (38), passageways are configured with (a) intersecting polygons, obtuse angles including triangles, trapezoids, or (b) hydrophobic surfaces (111), or (c) differing adjacent channels (127, 128), or (d) water permeable layers (93, 115, 116, 119) adjacent to water channels or hydrophobic/hydrophilic layers (114, 120).

Abstract: The present invention provides membrane cassettes and stacks thereof which are suitable for a use in a variety of electrochemical and ion exchange applications. The present invention also provides methods of manufacturing the membrane cassettes and stacks of the invention. In certain preferred embodiments, the invention provides cassettes and stacks which are suitable for use in fuel cell applications.

Abstract: A method for forming a hydrolytically-stable hydrophilic coating on a fuel cell flow field plate comprises contacting a flow field plate with a titanium oxide sol to form a titanium oxide layer disposed upon the flow field plate. The coated flow field plate is subsequently contacted with a silicon oxide sol to form a silicon oxide/titanium oxide bilayer disposed upon the flow field plate. A flow field plate formed by the method is also provided.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing a fuel cell including stacked unit cell constituent members sandwiched by separators includes the steps of arranging the unit cell constituent member in a first area on a first face of the separator; and forming a seal member made of elastic material such that the seal member is adhered or intimately attached to a second area including the first area on the first face of the separator, and that the seal member is unified with an edge portion of the unit cell constituent member.

Abstract: The invention concerns a plate for fuel cell, in particular of the ion-exchange membrane type, comprising supply channels (2 to 5) connected to an intake orifice (2a) arranged in the center of one of the surfaces of the plate, and discharge channels (6 to 9) wherein circulate respectively a reactive fluid stream with relatively high concentration and a reactive fluid stream with relatively low concentration. The supply and/or discharge channels are symmetrically arranged on the plate, the supply and discharge channels having similar fractal configurations arranged complementarily to obtain a network of interweaving channels.

Abstract: A fuel cell separator having a first plate, the first plate including an active surface comprising a reactant flow field and a header fluidly connected thereto, an opposing non-active surface, and a header channel fluidly connected to the header, wherein the header further includes a recess directly fluidly connected to one end of the header channel, wherein the recess comprises a top perimeter and a side wall. In one embodiment, the header channel is formed on the active surface of the plate. In another embodiment, the header channel is formed on the non-active surface of the plate and the side wall of the header further comprises at least one fluid port fluidly connected to the end of the header channel.

Abstract: A fuel cell, a method for operating a fuel cell and a fuel cell system, which ensure no dew condensation for a wet reaction gas in the inlet area of gas channels in plates in a fuel cell stack. Gas channels and heat medium channels are disposed on one surface and the other surface of one plate, respectively. Gas channels are disposed on the other plate such that they face the gas channels in the plate. A gas inlet header is disposed at the upper part of the gas channel in the plate and a heat medium inlet header is disposed at the upper part of the heat medium channels such that they face the gas inlet header on the other side. Cooling water such as heat medium is supplied from the heat medium supply manifold hole to the heat medium inlet header, thereby warming up the same.

Abstract: A fuel cell 10 includes an MEA 200, an anode separator 100 and a cathode separator 300. The anode separator 100 forms alternate first and second flow channels 110 and 120. The first flow channel 110 is blocked in the middle. The second flow channel 120 is blocked in the both ends. The anode separator 300 forms alternate first and second flow channels 310 and 320. The first flow channel 310 is blocked in the middle. The second flow channel 320 is blocked in the both ends.

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: In at least one of flow distribution areas 35 provided on a separator 15, plurality of first projections 46 formed in a region corresponding to a first section (parted regions 32a and 32c) of a center area (including parted regions 32a through 32c) having a relatively high flow rate of a first fluid (refrigerant) are designed to have a larger diameter of a cross section than plurality of first projections 46 formed in a region corresponding to a second section (parted region 32b) of the center area having a relatively low flow rate of the first fluid. This arrangement effectively attains a substantially uniform flow rate distribution of a fluid in a fluid flow path formed on a separator, which is configured to have concavo-convex structures formed in a mutually reversed relation on two opposed sides thereof.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a metal separator for a fuel cell including a reaction gas channel formed to protrude from a first face of the metal separator to a second face thereof, a coolant channel formed between the reaction gas channels protruding from the second face of the metal separator, a reaction gas manifold opened to introduce a reaction gas into the metal separator, a coolant manifold opened to introduce a coolant into the metal separator, and a stepped portion positioned at any one of the space between the reaction gas channel and the reaction gas manifold, and the reaction gas channel. This configuration serves to widen the reaction gas flowing portion and the coolant flowing portion on the metal separator, and prevent deformation of the reaction gas flowing portion and the coolant flowing portion, thereby improving efficiency of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A unitized electrode assembly for a fuel cell comprising an electrolyte membrane and a subgasket. The subgasket maximizing an operating life of the electrolyte membrane, militating against adverse effects of membrane expansion during use of the fuel cell and membrane shearing under unitized electrode assembly compression.

Abstract: A diffusion media for use in a fuel cell stack and that is adjacently aligned with lands of a reactant plate of the fuel cell stack. The diffusion media includes a sheet having a permeable material with a thickness. A plurality of water transport pores are defined through the sheet. Each of the pores has a pore diameter that is greater than 1.5 times the thickness.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell body that includes a middle plate and an electricity generating unit that generates electricity by a reaction of air and fuel. The middle plate includes a plurality of unit sections, a supply passage formed inside the middle plate, a supply opening for supplying the fuel to the supply passage, a plurality of inlet openings formed on the unit sections, a discharge passage formed inside the middle plate, a plurality of outlet openings formed on the unit sections, and a discharge opening for discharging the fuel from the discharge passage. The fuel is supplied to the unit sections through the inlet openings, and the fuel discharged from the unit sections being discharged to the discharge passage through the outlet openings. In one embodiment, an opening area of an inlet opening become smaller as the inlet opening is located farther from the supply opening.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to preventing electrolyte wicking by bipolar plates in a fuel cell system. In one example, a fuel cell system includes a first membrane-electrode assembly and a second membrane-electrode assembly. The fuel cell system further includes a bipolar plate disposed between the first membrane-electrode assembly and the second membrane-electrode assembly, the bipolar plate comprising a graphite layer and a surface energy adjustment layer.