Patent ID: 7132189
Filing Date: 2006-11-07
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A fuel cell stack comprising: a stacked body formed by stacking a plurality of electrolyte electrode assemblies and separators alternately in a stacking direction, said electrolyte electrode assemblies each including electrodes and an electrolyte interposed between said electrodes, terminal plates stacked on opposite ends of said stacked body; insulators stacked outside said terminal plates; end plates stacked outside said insulators; wherein at least one reactant gas supply passage extends through said stacked body in said stacking direction for supplying a reactant gas to said electrolyte electrode assemblies, at least one reactant gas discharge passage extends through said stacked body for discharging said reactant gas from said electrolyte electrode assemblies, and at least one bypass passage is formed on said insulator or said end plate for connecting said reactant gas supply passage and said reactant gas discharge passage; and wherein the bypass passage is attached to the reactant gas supply passage at a position in the reactant gas supply passage that is upstream from the electrolyte electrode assemblies, and wherein the bypass passage is attached to the reactant gas discharge passage at a position in the reactant gas discharge passage that is downstream from the electrolyte electrode assemblies.