Patent ID: 7354674

Claim:
A flat electrode structure for use in alkaline fuel cell stacks, where the fuel cell stack comprises a plurality of flat electrode structures placed side-by-side so as to have electrolyte inlet and outlet manifolds, fuel gas inlet and outlet manifolds, and oxidizer gas inlet and outlet manifolds throughout the length of the stack; each of said stacked flat electrode structures comprising a framed electrode having an electrode face for contact with said electrolyte and a respective one of said fuel gas or said oxidizer gas, and being secured in a surround frame having top and bottom frame members and opposed side frame members, and wherein the electrolyte, fuel gas, and oxidizer gas manifolds are each respectively in fluid communication through the thickness of the frame members for external connection at the ends of the fuel cell stack to respective electrolyte, fuel gas, and oxidizer gas conduits; wherein the electrolyte inlet manifold in each fiat electrode structure is formed through the thickness of the bottom frame member, and the electrolyte outlet manifold is formed through the thickness of the top frame member; wherein, in each flat electrode structure, there is at least one fuel gas inlet manifold and at least one oxidizer gas outlet manifold formed through the thickness of one of said side frame members, and at least one oxidizer gas inlet manifold and at least one fuel gas outlet manifold formed through the thickness of the other of said frame members; wherein said electrode face includes a metallic electric current collector member; and wherein each of said top and bottom frame members and said opposed side frame members are formed of a plastic material, and wherein there is a metal conductive foil member embedded therein so as to form a continuous embedded metal contact frame surrounding said electrode face and being in electrically conductive relationship to said current collector member.