Patent ID: 7094491
Filing Date: 2006-08-22
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A fuel cell, comprising a plurality of individual cells formed in a stack, a cylindrical fuel gas supply port having a perimeter and a central axis, the supply port penetrating one end wall of a fuel gas supply inner manifold such that the fuel gas supply enters the fuel gas supply inner manifold having an average gas supply flow direction parallel to the central axis of the supply port; a side part of the inner manifold faces a gas passage inlet of the separator on the fuel electrode side, cylindrical piercing member having a length, a central axis, a perimeter and an external, volume defined by the length and perimeter, the piercing member extends lengthwise through the stack and pierces through an inner manifold of the stack, including pierces through at least the fuel gas supply inner manifold, wherein a proper gap is interposed between said cylindrical piercing member and an inner wall of the fuel gas supply inner manifold along the length direction of the piercing member; wherein the arrangement directs a flow of fuel gas through the proper gap substantially orthogonal to the flow direction of the fuel gas supply entering from the supply port into the first volumetric region of the gas supply inner manifold and the flow of fuel gas through the gas supply inner manifold from the first volumetric region to the second volumetric region is flow-regulated by the piercing member.