Patent ID: 6686082
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
Fuel cell stack, comprising, in combination,at least one fuel cell basic unit containing a gas diffuser/collector plate serving as an anode; an ion exchange membrane, disposed on top of said gas diffuser/collector and an air diffuser/collector plate serving as a cathode and disposed on top of said ion exchange membrane; said gas diffuser/collector plate having a face directed to said ion exchange membrane, said face being provided with a flow field incorporating a multiplicity of open-faced flow channels, each said open-faced flow channel having a cross-section continuously diminishing from its inlet to its outlet, so said flow field, viewed from the top, forms a trapezoidal contour; said fuel cell stack further including: a reactant manifold plate placed on said gas diffuser/collector plate; an oxidant manifold plate on said reactant manifold; a first end sealing plate disposed beneath said gas diffuser/collector plate; a second end sealing plate disposed on top of said oxidant manifold plate; fastening means; said first and second end sealing plates, said reactant manifold plate and said oxidant manifold plate are all preferentially provided with means for accommodating said fastening means.