초록 ▼

An electrochemical fuel cell stack with improved reactant manifolding and sealing includes a pair of separator plates interposed between adjacent membrane electrode assemblies. Passageways fluidly interconnecting the anodes to a fuel manifold, and interconnecting the cathodes to an oxidant manifold,

An electrochemical fuel cell stack with improved reactant manifolding and sealing includes a pair of separator plates interposed between adjacent membrane electrode assemblies. Passageways fluidly interconnecting the anodes to a fuel manifold, and interconnecting the cathodes to an oxidant manifold, comprise at least one fluid passageway formed between adjoining non-active surfaces of the pairs of separator plates. The passageways extend through one or more ports penetrating the thickness of one of the plates thereby fluidly connecting the manifold to the opposite active surface of that plate, and the adjacent electrode. The ports comprise walls that have surfaces that are angled more than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to the direction of fluid flow in the fluid passageway upstream of the port. During operation, electrochemical fuel cell stacks comprising fluid ports with angled walls benefit from reduced pressure loss. Turbulence, which is believed to have adverse effects on the membrane electrode assemblies of solid polymer fuel cells, is also reduced.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. An electrochemical fuel cell stack comprising:(a) a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies each comprising an anode, a cathode, and an ion exchange membrane interposed between said anode and cathode;(b) a pair of separator plates interposed between adjacent pairs of

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. An electrochemical fuel cell stack comprising:(a) a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies each comprising an anode, a cathode, and an ion exchange membrane interposed between said anode and cathode;(b) a pair of separator plates interposed between adjacent pairs of said plurality of membrane electrode assemblies, said pair of separator plates comprising:an anode plate having an active surface contacting one of said anodes, and an oppositely facing non-active surface, anda cathode plate having an active surface contacting one of said cathodes, and an oppositely facing non-active surface adjoining said non-active surface of said anode plate;(c) a fuel supply manifold for directing a fuel stream to at least one of said anodes;(d) an oxidant supply manifold for directing a fuel stream to at least one of said cathodes; and(e) fuel and oxidant stream passageways fluidly connecting said fuel and oxidant supply manifolds to at least one of said anodes and at least one of said cathodes, respectively, wherein at least one of said fuel and oxidant stream passageways traverses a portion of said adjoining non-active surfaces of a pair of said separator plates and said at least one passageway comprises a fluid port fluidly connecting the portion of said passageway on said non-active surface with an active surface of one of said pair of separator plates, wherein said fluid port comprises walls that are angled more than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to the direction of fluid flow in said passageway upstream of said fluid port.