Patent ID: 7201985

Claim:
A fuel cell assembly comprising: a fuel cell stack having a plurality of active fuel cells stacked in an electrical series; an end plate at a first end of said stack; and an apparatus disposed between said end plate and the active fuel cells of the fuel cell stack, the apparatus comprising: an electrolyte storage assembly for storing electrolyte therein; and a compliant, electrically conductive assembly adapted to promote electrical contact between said electrolyte storage assembly and said end plate; and wherein said electrolyte storage assembly has a first surface adapted to face said end plate and first and second side surfaces extending from said first surface, and said compliant, electrically conductive assembly includes a first part disposed between said first surface and said end plate and second and third parts disposed adjacent the first and second side surfaces, respectively, of said electrolyte storage assembly, and wherein: said first part includes: a foam anode abutting said end plate; and an anode current collector abutting said foam anode; and said electrolyte storage assembly comprises: a porous ribbed cathode having one surface forming said first surface of said electrolyte storage assembly, a further surface opposing said one surface, ribs formed in one of said one surface and said further surface of said ribbed cathode, and first and second sides having said first and second side surfaces of said storage assembly, respectively, and connecting said one surface and said further surface of said ribbed cathode; and a porous flat cathode abutting said ribs of said ribbed cathode and forming therewith channels.