Patent ID: 6455183
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: H01M,Y02E,Y02T

Abstract:
A fuel cell system for supplying electric power, comprising:a fuel cell stack including an electrolyte, a cathode catalyst disposed on one side of said electrolyte, an anode catalyst disposed on the opposite side of said electrolyte, an anode flow field having an inlet for allowing a stream of a hydrogen-containing fuel to contact said anode catalyst, said anode flow field having a flow outlet, a cathode flow field having an inlet for flowing an oxidant in contact with said cathode catalyst, said cathode flow field having a flow outlet; a source for providing hydrogen-containing fuel to said anode flow field; and an oxidant pump providing oxidant to said cathode flow field; wherein the improvement comprises: a casing surrounding said fuel cell stack, said casing having an air inlet, said cathode flow field inlet receiving air from the interior of said casing; and said oxidant pump disposed outside of said casing and interconnected with said cathode flow outlet to draw oxidant through said cathode flow field, said fuel cell system having no oxidant inlet manifold.