Patent ID: 8614025
Filing Date: 2013-12-24
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A plate-shaped fuel cell separator comprising: a reaction gas supply manifold hole which is provided in a peripheral portion of the fuel cell separator to penetrate through the fuel cell separator in a thickness direction thereof; a reaction gas discharge manifold hole which is provided in a peripheral portion of the fuel cell separator to penetrate through the fuel cell separator in a thickness direction thereof; a groove-shaped first reaction gas channel which is formed in a spiral shape having a turn portion, in at least one principal surface of the fuel cell separator such that an upstream end thereof is connected to the reaction gas supply manifold hole, and a downstream end thereof is connected to the reaction gas discharge manifold hole; and two or more groove-shaped second reaction gas channels which are formed in the at least one principal surface such that at least upstream ends thereof are connected to the reaction gas supply manifold hole, the second reaction gas channels being formed in a spiral shape while running along the first reaction gas channel; the first reaction gas channel includes an upstream portion, a midstream portion and a downstream portion and is formed such that the midstream portion is surrounded by the upstream portion and the downstream portion, when viewed in a thickness direction of the separator; wherein when a portion of the first reaction gas channel which is located in the downstream portion of the first reaction gas channel and is closest to the upstream end when viewed in the thickness direction of the separator is a first portion, the two or more second reaction gas channels are configured to run along each other such that the second reaction gas channels do not exist between the upstream end of the first reaction gas channel and the first portion of the first reaction gas channel, when viewed in the thickness direction of the separator; wherein the first reaction gas channel is in communication, via only one communication channel, with a specific channel which is the two or more second reaction gas channels in a specific portion existing between the first portion and the downstream end, and configured to reduce a variation between a supply amount of supply gases flowing in the first reaction gas channel and the two or more second gas reaction channels, and wherein the communication channel terminates at a downstream portion, closest to the upstream end, of the second reaction gas channel which is furthest from the first reaction gas channel.