Patent ID: 6440596
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
An electrochemical apparatus comprising:a steam reformer communicating with a gaseous or vaporized-liquid fuel supply and a vaporized water supply by at least one feed tube; said steam reformer having a mixing orifice and a fuel orifice, wherein said mixing orifice is adapted to receive and mix vaporized water and fuel; a fuel cell stack positioned adjacent said steam reformer and having an air passage, and a fuel passage communicating with said fuel orifice; an annular cap positioned above said fuel cell stack and electrically insulated from said stack by a sealing ring, wherein said annular cap and said sealing ring define an air inlet in communication with said air passage and adapted to channel air into said air passage; a can extending downwardly from said annular cap spaced from said fuel cell stack and steam reformer, defining an exhaust passage therebetween; an enclosure surrounding and spaced apart from said can defining an open space therebetween which is at least partially filled with insulation; and at least one coolant inlet formed within said enclosure for receiving coolant from a source; and wherein the fuel cell stack is electrically connected to an electrical conductor that extends outside the enclosure.