Patent ID: 6924052
Filing Date: 2005-08-02
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A plate assembly for channeling coolant through a PEM fuel cell, comprising: first and second plates interconnected to define a coolant flow path therebetween, said first plate having a first surface with a coolant flow field formed therein, said coolant flow field comprising; a first diffusion region; a second diffusion region; a first flow volume region interconnecting said first and second diffusion regions for providing fluid communication therebetween, said first flow volume region including a plurality of straight channels leading directly from said first diffusion region to said second diffusion region; and a second flow volume region interconnecting said first and second diffusion regions for providing fluid communication therebetween, said second flow volume region including a plurality of channels each including at least one angled transition section; wherein the volume of coolant flowing through said first flow volume region differs from the volume of coolant flowing through said second flow volume region so as to provide a variance in cooling rate across said first plate.