Patent ID: 8435690

Claim:
A fuel cell stack comprising: a stack of cells configured to generate electricity by oxidizing a fuel; an exchange plate disposed on a first side of the stack, the exchange plate having a channel disposed in fluid communication with an injection flow path extending between the cells and a discharge flow path extending between the cells; and a pump disposed at an opposing second side of the stack, the pump being configured to: supply an oxidizing agent to the stack of cells: and increase coolant flow from the second side of the stack to the first side of the stack within the injection flow path, from the injection flow path to the discharge flow path within the exchange plate, and from the first side to the second side within the discharge flow path, wherein the injection flow path is disposed adjacent to a third side of the stack into which the fuel is injected; and the discharge flow path is disposed adjacent to a fourth side of the stack from which the fuel is discharged.