Patent ID: 6764787
Filing Date: 2004-07-20
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A system employing fluids, said system selected from; a fuel cell system for generating electricity from gaseous fuel and gaseous oxidant, an electrochemical cell system for decomposing compounds, and an enthalpy recovery device for transferring heat and moisture from one gas to another, said system comprising:a stack of contiguous cells or plates having edges which together form peripheral surfaces on a plurality of sides of said stack, said stack including end pieces, each having a first surface contacting one of said cells or plates at a corresponding end of said stack, and having a second surface, opposite said first surface, defining ends of said stack, said ends each having a perimeter; a one-piece sleeve manifold surrounding said stack from one said ends of said stack to the other said ends of said stack, said sleeve manifold shaped to form a plurality of manifold chambers for directing flow of fluid either into or out of said stack when said stack is disposed within said sleeve manifold, each said chamber being sealed against fluid flow between it and any chamber adjacent to it; a pair of seals, each seal coextensive and contiguous with the perimeter of one end of said stack; a pair of pressure plates, each pressure plate contiguous with and extending beyond one of said seals; and means for holding said pressure plates, said seals and said sleeve manifold together so as to seal said sleeve manifold to prevent leakage of fluids therefrom.