Patent ID: 7579101
Filing Date: 2009-08-25
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A direct liquid feed fuel cell stack, comprising: a plurality of stacked bipolar plates, having membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) therebetween, wherein each MEA comprises an electrolyte membrane, an anode, and a cathode, with the anode and cathode on opposing faces of the electrolyte membrane, wherein at least one of the bipolar plates further comprises: a groove enclosing an electrode region of the one bipolar plate, where a first MEA is disposed on a face of the one bipolar plate; a first sealing member formed in the groove; and a fuel flow hole to supply fuel or oxidant to corresponding fuel channels, in the one bipolar plate, at an electrode region of the one bipolar plate; wherein the fuel flow hole connects to another fuel flow hole through the corresponding fuel channels, the fuel flow hole and the another fuel flow hole connect to the corresponding fuel channels through corresponding manifolds, and the corresponding fuel channels and manifolds are covered by a corresponding anode or cathode, wherein the first MEA further comprises a first electrode hole, a second electrode hole and an electrolyte membrane hole corresponding to one of the fuel flow holes in the one bipolar plate, wherein a diameter of the second electrode hole, which does not connect with fuel channels of the one bipolar plate, is larger than a diameter of the corresponding fuel flow hole, wherein a second sealing member is formed on an inner wall of the second electrode hole, and wherein a sealing member is not formed on an inner wall of the first electrode hole.