Patent ID: 7687181

Claim:
An electrochemical cassette comprising: at least one membrane electrode assembly adapted for contact with at least two plates, each plate comprising opposing substantially planar surfaces with a peripheral wall extending there between, at least one of the substantially planar surfaces defining one or more flow fields, each of which comprises at least one groove, the flow fields being selected from the group consisting of an oxidant flow field, a fuel flow field, and a coolant flow field; wherein each membrane electrode assembly and each plate comprise at least one oxidant manifold opening and at least one fuel manifold opening wherein each respective manifold opening extends through the thickness of the cassette; wherein each plate has at least one sealant channel which extends through at least a portion of the thickness thereof; wherein the one or more membrane electrode assemblies and plates are assembled and encapsulated about the peripheral wall thereof by a sealant; and wherein the sealant contemporaneously seals the respective channels of the one or more plates to selectively block those reactant manifold openings which are not intended to deliver material to a particular flow field.