Patent ID: 7781087
Filing Date: 2010-08-24
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. An electro-conductive plate assembly for a fuel cell comprising: a first plate having a first flow field formed therein that defines a first plurality of flow channels formed into a first major surface thereof and defining corresponding first set of lands extending from a second major surface thereof opposite said first major surface; a second plate juxtaposed to said first plate having a second flow field formed therein that defines a second plurality of flow channels formed into a third major surface thereof and defining a corresponding second set of lands extending from a fourth major surface thereof opposite said third major surface; each of said first and second plates having an inlet margin that includes a first reactant gas inlet header, a second reactant gas inlet header, and a coolant inlet header formed therein and an exhaust margin that includes a first reactant gas outlet header, second reactant gas outlet header, and a coolant outlet header formed therein, wherein said first flow field provides fluid communication between said first reactant gas inlet header and said first reactant gas outlet header and said second flow field provides fluid communication between said second reactant gas inlet header and said second reactant gas outlet header; and a third flow field formed between said first and second plates by contact between said first set of lands and said second set of lands, said third flow field having a first array of discrete flow disruptors formed by contact between said first and second sets of lands adjacent one of said coolant inlet header and said coolant outlet header, and a plurality of parallel longitudinal channels formed by contact between said first and second sets of lands between said first array of discrete flow disruptors and another one of said coolant inlet header and said coolant outlet header, wherein fluid communication is established from said coolant inlet header through said third flow field to said coolant outlet header.