Fuel cell stack that utilizes an actuator to switch between interdigitated and straight flow for optimizing performance
US7803497B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 27, 2006 |
| Grant date | Sep 28, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 1, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T90/40
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A fuel cell stack that includes an actuating device or devices for selectively providing interdigitated reactant gas flow and straight reactant gas flow through reactant gas flow channels to reduce water accumulation in the diffusing media layers of the stack. In one embodiment, the fuel cell stack employs internal actuators that selectively close the inlet end of every other flow channel and the outlet end of every other opposite flow channel to provide the interdigitated flow. In another embodiment, the interdigitated flow is provided by external actuation where two inlet manifolds and two outlet manifolds are provided. One input manifold is closed to close the input ends of every other flow channel and one outlet manifold is closed to close the output ends of every other opposite flow channel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.