Patent ID: 7348094
Filing Date: 2008-03-25
Classification: H01M,Y02E,Y02T

Abstract:
1. An electrochemical conversion assembly comprising at least one electrochemical conversion cell configured to convert first and second reactants to electrical energy, said electrochemical conversion cell comprising a membrane electrode assembly, an anode flowfield portion and a cathode flowfield portion defined on opposite sides of said membrane electrode assembly, a first reactant supply configured to provide a first reactant to an anode side of said membrane electrode assembly via said anode flowfield portion, and a second reactant supply configured to provide a second reactant to a cathode side of said membrane electrode assembly via said cathode flowfield portion, wherein: at least one of said anode and cathode flowfield portions comprises an enhanced flowfield plate defining an active region, a fluid header region, and a feed region; said active region comprises a plurality of fluid flow channels and said feed region is configured to transfer fluid from said header region to said fluid flow channels of said active region; a portion of said feed region interfaces with said active region along a feed/active interface extending across a substantial entirety of said active region; said fluid header region defines an anode fluid header, a cathode fluid header, and a coolant fluid header fluidly decoupled from each other, wherein said fluid header region is disposed on one side of the feed/active interface; a portion of said fluid header region corresponding to at least one of said fluid headers interfaces with said feed region along a header/feed interface oriented at an acute angle with respect to said feed/active interface; and said feed region defines an array of substantially linear fluid channels extending from said header/feed interface to said feed/active interface; wherein the coolant fluid header at its closest point to the feed/active interface is spaced a greater distance from the feed/active interface than the anode fluid header at its closest point to the feed/active interface or the cathode fluid header at its closest point to the feed/active interface.