Patent ID: 7517602
Filing Date: 2009-04-14
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A fuel cell comprising a plurality of electrolyte electrode assemblies and a pair of separators sandwiching said plurality of electrolyte electrode assemblies, each of said plurality of electrolyte electrode assemblies including an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte interposed between said anode and said cathode, said separators each comprising a single plate, wherein first protrusions are provided on one surface of said separator, and said first protrusions form a fuel gas flow field for supplying a fuel gas from a central region to an outer circumferential region of said plurality of electrolyte electrode assemblies along an electrode surface of said anode; second protrusions are provided on the other surface of said separator, and said second protrusions form an oxygen-containing gas flow field for supplying an oxygen-containing gas in one direction from an outer circumferential region of said plurality of electrolyte electrode assemblies along an electrode surface of said cathode; a channel member forming a plurality of fuel gas supply channels connected to a fuel gas supply unit is provided on said one surface of said separator or said other surface of said separator; an exhaust gas channel for discharging a reactant gas consumed in reaction in said plurality of electrolyte electrode assemblies as an exhaust gas into the stacking direction of said plurality of electrolyte electrode assemblies and said separators; said fuel gas supply unit is provided hermetically in said exhaust gas channel for supplying said fuel gas before consumption in the stacking direction; said fuel gas supply channels are connected between said fuel gas flow field and said fuel gas supply unit, and extends along a surface of said separator which intersects said exhaust gas channel extending in the stacking direction; said fuel gas supply channels are connected to a fuel gas inlet for allowing said fuel gas to flow into said fuel gas flow field through said fuel gas inlet; and said fuel gas inlet is provided at an upstream position away from an intermediate position of said plurality of electrolyte electrode assemblies in a flow direction of said oxygen-containing gas.