Patent ID: 6066409
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: H01M,Y02E,Y02P,Y10T

Abstract:
An electrochemical fuel cell stack comprising:(a) a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies each comprising an anode, a cathode, and an ion exchange membrane interposed between said anode and cathode;(b) a pair of separator plates interposed between adjacent pairs of said plurality of membrane electrode assemblies, said pair of separator plates comprising:an anode plate having an active surface contacting an anode, and an oppositely facing non-active surface, anda cathode plate having an active surface contacting a cathode, and an oppositely facing non-active surface adjoining said non-active surface of said anode plate; and(c) a fuel supply manifold for directing a fuel stream to at least one of said anodes, and an oxidant supply manifold for directing an oxidant stream to at least one of said cathodes, and fuel and oxidant stream passageways fluidly connecting said fuel and oxidant supply manifolds to an anode and a cathode, respectively,wherein said fuel and oxidant stream passageways each traverse a portion of said adjoining non-active surfaces of a pair of said separator plates.