Patent ID: 6344290
Filing Date: 2002-02-05
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A fuel cell in the form of a disc for axial layering in a stack fixed by a tie rod, wherein the fuel cell defines an opening to hold the tie rod and to form an inlet for a first gas, wherein the fuel cell has a periphery, the fuel cell comprising:an ion-conducting electrolyte having an inner region and a first side and a second side, the ion-conducting electrolyte being one of a high-temperature ceramic electrolyte and a low-temperature polymer electrolyte; a porous cathode layer as an oxygen electrode on the first side of the ion-conducting electrolyte, and a porous anode layer as a fuel electrode on the second side of the ion-conducting electrolyte; a gas-permeable substrate having a first and a second surface and having substrate channels for carrying gases; a small separating plate smaller than said substrate located at least partially on the first surface of the substrate and essentially covering the inner region of the first side of the ion-conducting electrolyte not covered by the cathode; a large, electrically conductive separating plate, larger than said smaller plate located on the second surface of the substrate and including means for carrying gases in a controlled manner, wherein said gases interact with the substrate channels.