Patent ID: 6686084
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A plate assembly for use in a fuel cell comprised of:one of a cathode plate with cathode gas and an anode plate with anode gas having a first major surface and a second oppositely opposed major surface; a flow field for a gas within the first major surface comprised of feed side interdigitated channels and exhaust side interdigitated channels such that in the operation of the fuel cell there is flow of said gas by convection from feed side interdigitated channels to exhaust side interdigitated channels; at least one porous gas block medium positioned in the one of a cathode and anode plate adjacent to the flow field having pores sized such that liquid water in the flow field is sipped off by capillary flow and said gas is blocked; a gas diffusion layer positioned over the first surface of the one of a cathode and anode plate and flow field therein; and a liquid water channel at the second major surface of the one of a cathode and anode plate and in fluid communication with the at least one porous gas block medium such that liquid water flows from the porous gas block medium to the water channel.