Patent ID: 7842425

Claim:
A fuel cell arrangement comprising: a plurality of fuel cells, each fuel cell comprising an electrolyte membrane, an anode and a cathode, the electrolyte membrane being disposed between the anode and the cathode, a first flow field plate adjacent the anode and a second flow field plate adjacent the cathode; a fuel cell health management (FCHM) device; a plurality of plate members interposed between each of the plurality of fuel cells, each plate member being made of an electrically conductive metallic material and disposed between the first flow field plate and the second flow field plate of adjacent fuel cells to connect the plurality of fuel cells in series, and having an electrically conductive tab; and the tab of each of the plurality of plate members being electrically connected to the FCHM to conduct current provided by the FCHM to provide a substantially uniform voltage over each electrically of the plurality of plate members to rejuvenate each fuel cell, to monitor each fuel cell, and to control each fuel cell, and having a heat sink mounted thereon for dissipating heat generated by the FCHM.