초록 ▼

The end plates (16) of a fuel cell stack (12) are formed of a thin membrane. Pressure plates (20) exert compressive load through insulation layers (22, 26) to the membrane. Electrical contact between the end plates (16) and electrodes (50, 58) is maintained without deleterious making and breaking of

The end plates (16) of a fuel cell stack (12) are formed of a thin membrane. Pressure plates (20) exert compressive load through insulation layers (22, 26) to the membrane. Electrical contact between the end plates (16) and electrodes (50, 58) is maintained without deleterious making and breaking of electrical contacts during thermal transients. The thin end plate (16) under compressive load will not distort with a temperature difference across its thickness. Pressure plate (20) experiences a low thermal transient because it is insulated from the cell. The impact on the end plate of any slight deflection created in the pressure plate by temperature difference is minimized by the resilient pressure pad, in the form of insulation, therebetween.

대표청구항 ▼

A fuel cell assembly comprising: a fuel cell stack formed of a large number of fuel cells having electrodes and stacked in electrical series relationship; an electrically conducting flexible membrane at each end of said stack, each membrane in electrical contact with an electrode at multiple spaced

A fuel cell assembly comprising: a fuel cell stack formed of a large number of fuel cells having electrodes and stacked in electrical series relationship; an electrically conducting flexible membrane at each end of said stack, each membrane in electrical contact with an electrode at multiple spaced locations in a plane parallel to the planes of said fuel cells; a pressure pad at each end of said fuel cell stack including a substantially planar surface in contact with the respective membrane; compression means for exerting a compressive force on said pressure pads towards said fuel cell stack; said membranes being sufficiently thin, that the compressive force maintains the membranes in intimate electrical contact with said electrodes at multiple locations; each membrane integral with a box-like wall structure of a thickness greater than that of said membrane, and extending axially of said fuel cell stack at the outer periphery of said membrane; and an electric power bus bar connected to said box-like wall structure.