초록 ▼

A cooler-humidifier plate for use in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack assembly is provided. The cooler-humidifier plate combines functions of cooling and humidification within the fuel cell stack assembly, thereby providing a more compact structure, simpler manifolding, and reduced r

A cooler-humidifier plate for use in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack assembly is provided. The cooler-humidifier plate combines functions of cooling and humidification within the fuel cell stack assembly, thereby providing a more compact structure, simpler manifolding, and reduced reject heat from the fuel cell. Coolant on the cooler side of the plate removes heat generated within the fuel cell assembly. Heat is also removed by the humidifier side of the plate for use in evaporating the humidification water. On the humidifier side of the plate, evaporating water humidifies reactant gas flowing over a moistened wick. After exiting the humidifier side of the plate, humidified reactant gas provides needed moisture to the proton exchange membranes used in the fuel cell stack assembly. The invention also provides a fuel cell plate that maximizes structural support within the fuel cell by ensuring that the ribs that form the boundaries of channels on one side of the plate have ends at locations that substantially correspond to the locations of ribs on the opposite side of the plate.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A fuel cell assembly non-porous cooler-humidifier plate comprising:a first major surface forming at least one coolant flow channel;a second major surface forming at least one humidification flow channel; andmeans for humidifying a gas flowing in the at least one humidification flow

[ We claim:] [1.] A fuel cell assembly non-porous cooler-humidifier plate comprising:a first major surface forming at least one coolant flow channel;a second major surface forming at least one humidification flow channel; andmeans for humidifying a gas flowing in the at least one humidification flow channel.