Patent ID: 7604888

Claim:
A separator plate for a PEM fuel cell comprising: a one-piece metal plate member having an inlet header, an outlet header, and a flow field therebetween; a first aperture of said inlet header and a second aperture of said outlet header operable to receive a fluid therethrough, said first and second apertures formed entirely through said metal plate member and each having a perimeter with a constant first elevation; a series of first support elements proximate said first aperture and extending from a first plane to a second elevation defining a second plane; a second support element located proximate said first aperture and extending from said first plane to said second plane, said second support element bounding said first aperture in a first, second and third direction such that fluid is directed in a fourth direction between said series of first support elements toward said flow field; a series of third support elements proximate said second aperture and extending from said first plane to said second plane; a fourth support element located proximate said second aperture and extending from said first plane to said second plane, said fourth support element bounding said second aperture in said second, third and fourth direction such that fluid is directed in said first direction toward said second aperture, wherein said fourth support element includes a plurality of finger portions extending toward said second aperture; and wherein said first aperture is located between said series of first support elements and said second support element and said second aperture is located between said series of third support elements and said fourth support element.