Patent ID: 7655335

Claim:
An air breathing direct fuel cell pack comprising: a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) comprising a plurality of single cells including an electrolyte membrane, anodes on a first plane of the electrolyte membrane and cathodes on a second plane of the electrolyte membrane, the second plane disposed opposite to the first plane; a fuel supply unit facing the first plane of the MEA, the fuel supply unit supplies liquid fuel to the anodes on the first plane of the MEA; an upper panel member facing the second plane of the MEA and comprising: a first cavity formed in an internal surface of the upper panel member and disposed at a first side thereof; a second cavity formed in the internal surface of the upper panel member and disposed at a second side opposite the first side; a plurality of air vent holes formed in at least one of the first cavity and the second cavity and through which air passes from an ambient environment directly into the at least one of the first cavity and the second cavity; and air channels connecting the first cavity to the second cavity, wherein air vent holes of the plurality of air vent holes comprise through-holes in the upper panel member which are formed from one face of the upper panel member through to an opposite face of the upper panel member; current collectors disposed on the cathode and the anode of single cells of the plurality of single cells in the MEA; conductors electrically connecting the current collectors to form electric circuitry among the single cells; and a lower panel member for forming a housing for accommodating the MEA and the fuel supply unit in cooperation with the upper panel member.