Patent ID: 8101312
Filing Date: 2012-01-24
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack comprising: a plurality of first cells, including a first cell, provided at and in a vicinity of an overall negative end of a fuel cell stack; and a plurality of additional cells, including a second cell, provided throughout a remainder of the fuel cell stack, wherein the first cell has a higher resistance to flooding than the plurality of additional cells, wherein the overall polarity of the fuel cell stack is reversed so that a first end part of the fuel cell stack, at which a water content is larger than a second end of the fuel cell stack, is made overall positive, wherein the overall polarity of the fuel cell stack is reversed either by switching an input location of either an anode gas or a cathode gas, and wherein the distribution of water in the fuel cell stack is measured and the polarity reversal is continued until it is determined that the distribution has been equalized.