Patent ID: 6924057
Filing Date: 2005-08-02
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. An electrochemical fuel cell assembly comprising: a first separator plate having a pair of oppositely facing major planar surfaces, and first and second ports; a second separator plate having a pair of oppositely facing major planar surfaces, and third and fourth ports; a membrane electrolyte interposed between said first and second separator plates; a first electrode interposed between said first plate and said membrane electrolyte, said first electrode comprising a first substrate having a pair of oppositely facing major planar surfaces and electrocatalyst associated therewith defining a first electrochemically active area; and a second electrode interposed between said second separator plate and said membrane electrolyte, said second electrode comprising a substrate having a pair of oppositely facing major planar surfaces and electrocatalyst associated therewith defining a second electrochemically active area; said electrochemical fuel cell assembly further comprising a first reactant flow path for directing a first reactant fluid stream between said first and second ports, wherein said first reactant flow path extends substantially linearly across said first electrochemically active area, and the density of said first electrode substrate increases as it is traversed in-plane in the direction of said first reactant flow path, and wherein said first electrode is a cathode.