Patent ID: 7875400
Filing Date: 2011-01-25
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A direct oxidation fuel cell system, comprising: (A) a protonically conductive material, having water permeability that allows a rate of internal supply of water from a cathode side to an anode side of the fuel cell to be achieved, said protonically conductive material intimately interfacing with a catalyst along each of said layer's major surfaces, and having an anode aspect and a cathode aspect; (B) a fuel source coupled to said fuel cell; (C) an enthalpy exchanger coupled to said cathode aspect having an incoming oxidant inlet conduit and an exhaust outlet disposed to provide a flow between the inlet and the outlet streams, and an enthalpy exchange element disposed between the streams that encourages water collection thereon to humidify the incoming oxygen stream; and (D) effective water supply from cathode to anode within said fuel cell, so that water management in said fuel cell is achieved without water transport from cathode to anode external to the active volume of the fuel cell.