Abstract: A coolant supply manifold and a coolant discharge manifold are provided on a first end plate of a fuel cell stack. The coolant supply manifold includes a pair of supply manifold sections and a supply coupling section coupling upper portions of the pair of supply manifold sections together. The supply manifold sections are connected to a pair of coolant supply passages of a first end plate. The width of the coupling section is smaller than the width of the pair of supply manifold sections in a longitudinal direction along the long sides of the first end plate. A supply pipe extending to the outside of the first end plate is formed integrally with one of the supply manifold sections.

Abstract: Disclosed is a manifold of a fuel cell, including a conductive support having an upper support member and a lower support member between which two or more anode-supported tubular unit fuel cells each comprising an anode layer, an electrolyte layer and a cathode layer formed in sequential order are disposed and which include an inner connector and an outer connector formed to be tightly fitted into an inner surface and around an outer surface of the unit fuel cells so as to electrically conduct the unit fuel cells, such that the unit fuel cells are alternately connected with the inner connector and the outer connector at an upper end and a lower end thereof thus forming an electrical series circuit. The manifold which is essentially manufactured to supply fuel to a solid oxide fuel cell is used to simply collect current from the fuel cell even without an additional current collector being used, and is configured such that unit fuel cells disposed in the manifold are connected in series.

Abstract: A plurality of integral bundle assemblies contain a top portion with an inlet fuel plenum and a bottom portion containing a base support, the base supports a dense, ceramic air exhaust manifold having four supporting legs, the manifold is below and connects to air feed tubes located in a recuperator zone, the air feed tubes passing into the center of inverted, tubular, elongated, hollow electrically connected solid oxide fuel cells having an open end above a combustion zone into which the air feed tubes pass and a closed end near the inlet fuel plenum, where the open end of the fuel cells rest upon and within a separate combination ceramic seal and bundle support contained in a ceramic support casting, where at least one flexible cushion ceramic band seal located between the recuperator and fuel cells protects and controls horizontal thermal expansion, and where the fuel cells operate in the fuel cell mode and where the base support and bottom ceramic air exhaust manifolds carry from 85% to all of the weight

Abstract: This invention relates to a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack and a heat exchanger wrapped around the stack. The fuel cell stack comprises a fuel cell that operates at high elevated temperatures, such as a solid oxide fuel cell; the fuel cell can have a tubular configuration and comprise a pair of concentrically arranged electrode layers sandwiching a concentrically arranged electrolyte layer. The heat exchanger wraps around the fuel cell stack and comprises a flexible, thermally conductive first layer and an overlapping flexible, thermally conductive second layer spaced from the first layer. The first and second layers define adjacent annular oxidant supply and oxidant exhaust channels when wrapped around the stack.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system includes purging heavier and lighter than air gases from a system cabinet containing at least one fuel cell stack during a single purge step, and starting-up the fuel cell system after the purging step. The system includes an air blower, a purge manifold, and a purge damper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly with a reinforced sealing structure for its use in fuel cells and electrolyzers, comprising a membrane electrode assembly (23) and a sealing structure (S) surrounding said membrane electrode assembly (23), said sealing structure (S) comprising a gasket (G), a reinforcing material (4) integrated in said gasket and reagent gas and coolant fluid openings (10) for the passage of reactant gases and coolant fluid.

Abstract: An electrochemical fuel cell stack having staggered fuel and oxidant plenums is disclosed. This construction allows for reduced cell pitch without reducing plenum thickness and hence fluid flow.

Abstract: The invention provides an MEA-gasket assembly (1) comprising: an MEA (5) having a polymer electrolyte membrane (5A), catalyst layers and gas diffusing layers (5C); a plate-like frame (6) which is joined to a portion of the polymer electrolyte membrane (5A) so as to enclose the MEA (5), the portion being located in a peripheral region of the MEA (5) and which has a plurality of fluid manifold holes (12, 13, 14); and an annular gasket (7) formed on both faces of the frame (6), wherein an annular gap formed between the inner peripheral edge of the annular gasket (7) and the outer peripheral edges of the gas diffusing layers (5C) is at least partially closed.

Abstract: A fuel cell, which can increase a ratio of an area of a power generation region to an area of a fuel cell unit to increase power per unit volume and unit weight of a fuel cell. The fuel cell includes an oxidizer electrode surrounding member provided at four corners of the fuel cell unit to incorporate atmospheric oxygen through an oxidizer intake formed at a gap of the oxidizer electrode surrounding member. The fuel cell further includes a through-hole which serves as a hydrogen gas supply path for each fuel cell unit and fastens the fuel cell units in a stacking direction formed inside the oxidizer electrode surrounding member. By aligning through-holes of end plates, separator, and fuel electrode seals with each other and by allowing a stack fastening component to penetrate through the through-holes, the whole is pressed and urged to be assembled.

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.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack is disclosed that utilizes a porous material internally disposed in the fuel cell outlet manifolds, wherein the porous material facilitates the transport of liquid water from the plate outlets thereby minimizing the accumulation of liquid water in the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A large, scalable SOFC system based on modules, which may be connected in series on the cathode gas side. This offers compactness, simple stack/system interface and improved system performance. The modules are designed for manufacturability, well-balanced heat management and high fuel utilisation.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack in which, even if the fuel cell stack is mounted in an inclined position, the performance of system components mounted on an end plate is maintained satisfactory. The fuel cell stack has a cell stack body formed by stacking a plurality of fuel battery single cells, and a pair of end plates for holding the cell stack body from respective sides in the stack direction. System components are mounted on one end plate. One end plate has a stack-facing surface facing the cell stack body and also has a system component mounting surface on the opposite side of the stack-facing surface. The system component mounting surface is inclined relative to the facing surface by an inclination angle so that, when the fuel cell stack is placed such that manifolds decline toward the one end plate, the system component mounting surface is vertical.

Abstract: The invention provides a fuel cell metallic separator, wherein the metallic plate's edges include a resin portion comprising the communication ports. The resin portion around the communication ports is shaped so as to be capable of interlocking with a fuel cell stack component adjacently located in a fuel cell system. The invention also provides a resin portion capable of press fitting or thermal bonding with adjacent a fuel cell stack components.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly and method is disclosed for the mixing and heating of hydrogen and air in the fuel cell assembly and introducing the heated hydrogen and air to the fuel cell assembly during a starting operation to heat the fuel cell assembly to militate against vapor condensation and ice formation in the fuel cell assembly.

Abstract: A unitized plate such as a bipolar plate for a fuel cell assembly is provided. The unitized plate includes a plurality of active regions electrically insulated from one another, and a plurality of inlet and outlet apertures formed in the plate. Each of the active regions is in fluid communication with a dedicated inlet aperture adapted to selectively deliver gaseous reactants thereto. A fuel cell assembly having a plurality of independently operable fuel cell stack units, and a method for operating the fuel cell assembly, is also provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell system wherein a plurality of fuel cells are arranged in a series of stages, the number of fuel cells decreasing in number in each stage from anode gas inlet to the anode gas outlet. The system allows for parallel flow to all of the cells in a given stage and series flow between the various stages. A similar configuration is present on a cathode side of the system. However, the direction of flow is reversed, providing a greater number of cells in the stage nearest the cathode outlet and a fewer number of cells in the stage near the cathode gas inlet. The invention further provides for the various stages to be configured such that the direction of flow of the anode gas of a given stage is generally opposite the direction of flow of the cathode gas of a given stage.

Abstract: To provide a fuel cell and an oxidant distributing plate for the fuel cell. A water created in the fuel cell is used to humidify an oxidant gas and/or a fuel flowing in an opposite passage opposite to a MEA. The fuel cell includes a MEA 1, an oxidant distributing plate 3 disposed facing to an oxidant pole for supplying an oxidant gas thereto, and a fuel distributing plate 4 disposed facing to an fuel pole for supplying the fuel thereto. At least one of the oxidant distributing plate 3 and the fuel distributing plate 4 is provided with an opposite passage 31, 41 formed on an opposite surface opposite to the MEA, and a reaction passage 32, 42 formed on a facing surface facing to the MEA, and communicated with the opposite passage 31, 41.

Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell in which produced water can be efficiently conveyed to an upstream region of hydrogen gas flow, thereby quickly increasing the power generation performance of an electrolyte membrane after activation in a short period of time and giving a stable output for a long period of time and in which the directions of hydrogen gas flows in a first and a second fuel supply layers that share one oxygen supply layer are set to be opposite to each other.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack configuration and method of removing gas from the coolant flow path within a fuel cell stack is provided. The fuel cell stack has an internal vent passageway that communicates with the coolant supply header to enable gas entrapped therein to be vented from the fuel cell stack. The vent passageway can be formed by a plurality of apertures in the components that comprise the fuel cell stack and run parallel and adjacent to the coolant supply header. Alternatively, a vent line can be connected to the coolant supply header with a valve therein to selectively vent gas from the coolant supply header.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cells, and a plurality of fuel delivery ports. Each of the plurality of fuel delivery ports is positioned on or in the fuel cell stack to provide fuel to a portion of the plurality fuel cells in each stack.

Abstract: A fuel delivery manifold enlarged in size is provided which, when incorporated into fuel cells which are then stacked allows for insertion of a baffle or a perforated fuel delivery tube through the fuel cell stack via the enlarged fuel delivery manifold to enhance and/or even out or equalize fuel delivery to all fuel cells in the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack includes a plurality of SOFCs, and a plurality of interconnects, each interconnect containing a conductive perovskite layer on an air side of the interconnect. The stack in internally manifolded for fuel and the conductive perovskite layer on each interconnect is not exposed in the fuel inlet riser. The SOFC electrolyte has a smaller roughness in regions adjacent to the fuel inlet and fuel outlet openings in the electrolyte than under the cathode or anode electrodes.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a first fuel cell stack having a first end plate, wherein the first end plate has a first opening, and a fuel cell component having a second opening. An adapter connects the first opening in the first end plate and the second opening in the fuel cell component. The adapter comprises a hollow tube. At least one of the first and second openings is located in a first groove. At least a first portion of the adapter is located in the first groove such that there is a passage from the first opening to the second opening through an interior of the hollow tube.

Abstract: A single cell structure used in a fuel cell stack with metal separators, the single cell structure comprising: a cathode gas diffusion layer; an anode gas diffusion layer; a membrane electrode assembly, disposed between the cathode gas diffusion layer and the anode gas diffusion layer; a pair of first separators disposed outside the cathode gas diffusion layer and the anode gas diffusion layer, a first surface of the first separators being provided with a plurality of grooves and ribs thereon; a pair of second separators disposed outside the first separators to be assembled with the first separators, a first surface of the second separators being provided with a plurality of groove and ribs; and a pair of middle separators disposed outside the second separators to be assembled with the second separators.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack including a housing for holding fuel cells is disclosed. Each fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly with a proton exchange membrane disposed between carbon bases, a connector for engaging metalized collectors to form an electrical circuit for operating the fuel cell stack, and a sealable two-part housing for supporting an oxidant manifold and a fuel manifold that support the membrane electrode assembly and flexible plenums of each fuel cell. The fuel cell stack includes fuel cell connectors for connecting an anode from one fuel cell with a cathode from an adjacent fuel cell, a fuel intake in communication with a fuel source and an oxidant intake in communication with an oxidant source for providing fuel and oxidant into the fuel cell stack, a controller for monitoring and regulating fuel and oxidant, and a fuel manifold engaging fuel intakes and an oxidant manifold engaging oxidant intakes.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack device that can suppress a damage to fuel cells is provided. A fuel cell stack device includes a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of columnar fuel cells are arranged upright, and are electrically connected via a current-collecting member interposed between adjacent fuel cells, fuel cells stack-supporting members disposed so as to hold the fuel cell stack via an end current-controlling member from both end sides, and a manifold that fixes lower ends of the fuel cells, and that supplies a reactant gas to the fuel cells. The fuel cell stack-supporting member has a lower end fixed to the manifold and is an elastically deformable member, and is disposed such that a fixed portion thereof fixed to the manifold is at a same or lower level than a fixed portion of the fuel cells.

Abstract: An SOFC stack module including an integral individual stack manifold containing all of the gas pathways necessary for supply and exhaust of fuel gas and cathode air to and from the stack chimneys. The stack is mounted and hermetically joined directly to the manifold without an intermediate base plate. Flanges at the inlet and outlet ports couple to system distributary manifolds via high temperature sealing joints. The manifold preferably is fabricated of a ferritic stainless steel, and may be formed in a one-piece casting, a combination of multiple castings and stamped plates metallurgically joined (brazed or welded together), or stamped from sheet metal stock. Preferably, the manifold includes fin structures extending into adjacent fuel gas and cathode air chambers to enhance balancing of temperatures by heat exchange therebetween. Heat exchange may be further improved by configuring the manifold to have a plurality of interleaved anode and cathode gas supply chambers.

Abstract: A common distribution device of a fuel cell of a vehicle is provided where a first module and a second module comprises an air supplying portion and an air discharging portion are disposed below in the stack, and a third module and a fourth module which comprises a hydrogen supplying portion and a hydrogen discharging portion are disposed above in a stack. The fluid can be uniformly discharged from the stack during acceleration, deceleration, and tilting of a vehicle.

Abstract: A fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells, the fuel cell stack including an anode supply manifold and an anode exhaust manifold, a first valve in fluid communication with at least one of the anode supply manifold and the anode exhaust manifold, wherein the first valve includes an inlet for receiving a fluid flow and an outlet for exhausting a fluid, a sensor for measuring at least a fluid pressure at the inlet and the outlet of the first valve, wherein the sensor generates a sensor signal representing the pressure measurement, and a processor for receiving the sensor signal, analyzing the sensor signal, and determining a composition of a fluid in the fuel cell system based upon the analysis of the sensor signal.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a support structure, a reactant conditioning structure, a plurality of stacks of planar solid oxide fuel cells arranged on the support structure circumferentially around the reactant conditioning structure, and a flow path extending outwardly from the reactant conditioning structure to deliver reactants to the plurality of stacks.

Abstract: A fuel cell battery (2) has a structure in which a plurality of cells are stacked and in-series connected. The cells include a cell (15), and one or more cells (16) of a cell stack (11). Hydrogen that has entered the fuel cell battery (2) from a channel (12) is supplied to each cell through a supply manifold (13). After the amount of hydrogen needed for power generation is consumed, gas is discharged as a fuel off-gas into a discharge manifold (14), and then flows into the cell (15). This prevents impurities contained in the fuel off-gas from being accumulated in the cells (16), and causes the impurities to be accumulated in the cell (15). Thus, variations in the amount of power generation among the cells can be restrained in a fuel cell battery system that employs a dead-end method.

Abstract: A stack for use in a flow battery, the stack comprising an odd number of interior elements positioned between two end elements, the two end elements each including an electrode, and the odd number of interior elements including membrane elements alternating with electrode elements, wherein the membrane elements include an interior frame and a membrane, the electrode elements include the interior frame and an electrode, wherein the interior frame is rotated by 180° from the frame of the membrane elements.