Patent ID: 6926986
Filing Date: 2005-08-09
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A fuel cell comprising: at least one hydrogen electrode plate having an inner side and an outer side, wherein a hydrogen electrode is disposed within said inner side of said hydrogen electrode plate and a compression plate is disposed within said outer side of said hydrogen electrode plate; at least one oxygen electrode plate having an inner side and an outer side, wherein an oxygen electrode is disposed within said inner side of said oxygen electrode plate and a compression plate is disposed within said outer side of said oxygen electrode plate; at least one electrolyte chamber disposed between said hydrogen electrode and said oxygen electrode; said compression plate which is disposed within said hydrogen electrode plate is configured to direct a hydrogen stream which is in contact with said outer side of said hydrogen electrode plate through at least one hole in said hydrogen electrode plate to a series of hydrogen flow channels within said inner side of said hydrogen electrode plate, said hydrogen flow channels configured to distribute said hydrogen stream across said hydrogen electrode; said compression plate which is disposed within said oxygen electrode plate is configured to direct an oxygen containing stream which is in contact with said outer side of said oxygen electrode plate through at least one hole in said oxygen electrode plate to a series of oxygen flow channels within said inner side of said oxygen electrode plate, said oxygen flow channels configured to distribute said oxygen containing stream across said oxygen electrode; said inner sides of said hydrogen electrode plate and said oxygen electrode plate being adhered together forming a series of electrolyte flow channels disposed between said hydrogen electrode plate and said oxygen electrode plate, and a plurality of electrolyte flow distributing structures disposed within said electrolyte flow channels, said series of electrolyte flow channels and said electrolyte flow distributing structures being configured to uniformly distribute an electrolyte solution laterally through said electrolyte chamber.