Patent ID: 8597846

Claim:
A proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack, comprising: multiple serially arranged proton exchange membrane fuel cell modules; an individual proton exchange membrane fuel cell module including: a frame having generally opposing first and second major surfaces and an outer perimeter defining surface and an inner cavity defining surface each of which extend between the first and second major surfaces to define a width of the frame; a current collecting separator plate mounted on the first major surface of the frame; a proton exchange membrane having an anode side and a cathode side; a first electrically conductive porous layer juxtaposed relative to the anode side; a second electrically conductive porous layer juxtaposed relative to the cathode side; and, an electrically conductive heat sink juxtaposed relative to the second electrically conductive porous layer, wherein the frame width is sufficient to nestably receive the proton exchange membrane, the first and second electrically conductive porous layers, and the electrically conductive heat sink between the first and second major surfaces effective that both the second major surface of the frame and the electrically conductive heat sink contact a current collecting separator plate associated with a frame of an individual adjacent proton exchange membrane fuel cell module; and wherein the multiple serially arranged proton exchange membrane fuel cell modules are associated against one another with an anode side of the individual proton exchange membrane fuel cell module positioned adjacent to a cathode side of the individual adjacent proton exchange membrane fuel cell module to form the proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack.