초록 ▼

An environmental compensation apparatus for an electrochemical fuel cell assembly, wherein a compressible material is dispersed within a coolant flow of the fuel cell assembly and is utilized to compensate for the expansion of the coolant when said fuel cell assembly is subjected to harsh environmen

An environmental compensation apparatus for an electrochemical fuel cell assembly, wherein a compressible material is dispersed within a coolant flow of the fuel cell assembly and is utilized to compensate for the expansion of the coolant when said fuel cell assembly is subjected to harsh environmental conditions. The compressible material is formed as a plurality of either polymeric or elastomer microspheres, each microsphere having a diameter larger than the pores of an anode or cathode flow field plate, yet smaller than the diameter of a coolant channel.

대표청구항 ▼

[What is claimed is:] [1.]an inlet coolant manifold for introducing said coolant to said fuel cell assembly;an exhaust coolant manifold for exhausting said coolant from said fuel cell assembly;a compressible material dispersed throughout said coolant; andwherein said compressible material compensate

[What is claimed is:] [1.]an inlet coolant manifold for introducing said coolant to said fuel cell assembly;an exhaust coolant manifold for exhausting said coolant from said fuel cell assembly;a compressible material dispersed throughout said coolant; andwherein said compressible material compensates for the expansion of said coolant within said coolant channel during times when said fuel cell assembly experiences temperatures approximately below a predetermined temperature. [33.]dispersing a compressible material throughout said coolant;introducing said coolant to said fuel cell assembly through an inlet coolant manifold;circulating said coolant through said coolant channel; andexhausting said coolant from said fuel cell assembly through an exhaust coolant manifold.