Patent ID: 6329092
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprising:a plurality of cells alternately stacked and each having an ion-conducting electrolyte membrane, a first gas-diffusing electrode on a first surface of said ion-conducting electrolyte membrane, a second gas-diffusing electrode on a second surface of said ion-conducting electrolyte membrane and a plurality of gas separators configured to supply fuel to said first gas-diffusing electrode and oxidant gas to said second gas-diffusing electrode;a main stack including ones of said plurality of cells; andan auxiliary stack including other ones of said plurality of cells and a current path with a load independent from said main stack,wherein;said ones of said plurality of cells in said main stack comprise a larger number of cells than said other ones of said plurality of cells in said auxiliary stack;said main stack and said auxiliary stack are connected such that said fuel and said oxidant gas are supplied to said ones of said plurality of cells in said main stack after passing through said other ones of said plurality of cells in said auxiliary stack; andthe load in said current path for said auxiliary stack is configured to vary.