초록 ▼

Fuel cell stack configurations having elongated polygonal cross-sectional shapes and gaskets at the peripheral faces to which flow manifolds are sealingly affixed. Process channels convey a fuel and an oxidant through longer channels, and a cooling fluid is conveyed through relatively shorter coolin

Fuel cell stack configurations having elongated polygonal cross-sectional shapes and gaskets at the peripheral faces to which flow manifolds are sealingly affixed. Process channels convey a fuel and an oxidant through longer channels, and a cooling fluid is conveyed through relatively shorter cooling passages. The polygonal structure preferably includes at least two right angles, and the faces of the stack are arranged in opposite parallel pairs.

대표청구항 ▼

An electrochemical cell system comprising: a plurality of electrically connected fuel cells and at least one cooling module disposed between selected fuel cells, said fuel cells and cooling module arranged in a stack and shaped in cross section as an elongated polygon having pairs of oppositely disp

An electrochemical cell system comprising: a plurality of electrically connected fuel cells and at least one cooling module disposed between selected fuel cells, said fuel cells and cooling module arranged in a stack and shaped in cross section as an elongated polygon having pairs of oppositely disposed peripheral faces, at least one pair of peripheral faces being longer than the remaining pairs and disposed such that the distance between said opposite longer pair of peripheral faces is shorter than the distance between the opposite peripheral faces of the remaining pairs; each said fuel cell having an electrolyte positioned between a pair of bipolar plates, said bipolar plates defining oxidant channels for transporting an oxidant in reacting communication with said electrolyte, and fuel channels for transporting a fuel in reacting communication with said electrolyte, said fuel and oxidant channels each having an inlet on one shorter peripheral face of said polygon and an outlet on an opposite shorter peripheral face; said cooling module having cooling passages, said passages having an entry on one peripheral face of said polygon and an exit on an opposite peripheral face, said entry and exit being disposed on said longer peripheral faces of said polygon.