Patent ID: 6852442

Claim:
A fuel delivery staging device operatively associated with a fuel cell having an anode with an exposed surface and a fuel flow containment plate positioned above the exposed anode surface, wherein a flow of fuel is provided laterally between the exposed anode surface and the fuel flow containment plate, the device comprising, a unitary, essentially flat staging plate for diverting a portion of the flow of fuel to a downstream area of the exposed surface of the anode, wherein the staging plate is positioned between the exposed anode surface and the fuel flow containment plate and oriented essentially parallel to the exposed anode surface, the staging plate also including filled vias for conducting electricity generated by the fuel cell; and an anode chamber, defined by the exposed surface of the anode on one side and either the staging plate or the containment plate on an opposite side, wherein the anode chamber is configured to permit a continuous, unobstructed flow of fuel across an upstream area and the downstream area of the exposed anode surface.