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  • Patent number: 6280869
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack (6) includes at least first and second cells (40) and a separator assembly (42). Each cell includes an anode (44), a cathode (46) and electrolyte (48) between them. The separator assembly includes a fluid separator (58) having a fuel side, an oxidant side, an anode spacer element (68) between the fuel side and the anode of the first cell and a cathode spacer element (80) between the oxidant side and the cathode of the second cell. The separator assembly further includes a cathode exhaust passageway(86), having an exhaust inlet (84) at the central region (82) of the cathode spacer element, and an anode feed passageway (64), including a continuous loop anode feed tube, located spaced apart from the cell peripheral edge, with radially inwardly and outwardly directed fuel outlets (76, 78). An air deflector (62) helps prevent radially inwardly moving air from contacting the anode while permitting the air access to the peripheral edge (102) of the cathode spacer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Nexant, Inc.
    Inventor: Tan-Ping Chen