Fuel cell
US6132895A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 9, 1998 |
| Grant date | Oct 17, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 9, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A very thin fuel cell (500) is formed by stacking a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) (210) and a plurality of double sided distribution plates (220). The distribution plates serve to distribute fuel and oxidant to the MEAs, and they are electrically and thermally conductive and gas impermeable, and have fuel and oxidant distribution channels formed on opposite sides. The oxidant flowing through the oxidant distribution channels also provides thermal management to the fuel cell, eliminating the need for a separate heat exchange system. The MEAs and the distribution plates are arranged in an alternating stack (200) such that the fuel distribution channel side (315) is in intimate and direct contact with the MEA anode (212), and such that the oxidant distribution channel (415) is in intimate and direct contact with the MEA cathode (214). The distribution plate acts as a bipolar plate and also as a heat exchanger.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.