초록 ▼

A separator plate for an internally manifolded fuel cell stack comprising a centrally disposed active region, a peripheral seal region, and forming at least one pair of perforations substantially geometrically disposed on opposite sides of the centrally disposed active region. The peripheral seal re

A separator plate for an internally manifolded fuel cell stack comprising a centrally disposed active region, a peripheral seal region, and forming at least one pair of perforations substantially geometrically disposed on opposite sides of the centrally disposed active region. The peripheral seal region comprises a peripheral seal structure on each face of the separator plate completely around the periphery of each said face. A manifold seal region in each face completely encloses each perforations, the manifold seal region comprising conduits on one of said faces for communication of a gas between the centrally disposed active region and at least the one pair of perforations. The separator plate is comprised of one sheet of a material suitable for use as a separator plate, preferably a pressed sheet metal.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [8.] In a fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cell units, each said fuel cell unit comprising an anode and a cathode, an electrolyte in contact on one side with an electrolyte facing face of said anode and in contact on the opposite side with an electrolyte facing face of said

[ I claim:] [8.] In a fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cell units, each said fuel cell unit comprising an anode and a cathode, an electrolyte in contact on one side with an electrolyte facing face of said anode and in contact on the opposite side with an electrolyte facing face of said cathode, and a separator plate separating said fuel cell units between an anode and cathode forming an anode chamber between an anode facing face of said separator plate and said anode and forming a cathode chamber between a cathode facing face of said separator plate and said cathode of an adjacent said fuel cell unit, said anode chamber in gas communication with a fuel gas supply and outlet and said cathode chamber in gas communication with an oxidant gas supply and outlet, said anodes, said cathodes, and said separator plates extending to the peripheral edge of said fuel cell stack, the improvement comprising:said separator plate comprising one sheet of a material suitable for use as a separator plate, said separator plate having a centrally disposed active region and a peripheral seal structure, said peripheral seal structure sealing against an adjacent fuel cell component facing each face of said separator plate; andsaid anode, said cathode, and said separator plate forming a plurality of aligned perforations, said perforations in said separator plate being surrounded by a manifold seal structure on each said face of said separator plate, said manifold seal structure sealing against said adjacent fuel cell components forming a plurality of gas manifolds extending through said fuel cell stack.