Patent ID: 7833671

Claim:
A method of mixing hydrogen and air in a fuel cell assembly comprising the steps of: providing a fuel cell stack including a plurality of fuel cell plates, each of the fuel cell plates including a cathode side, wherein each cathode side includes plurality of flow channels, a mixing region in fluid communication with the flow channels and positioned on the cathode side between the flow channels, at least two apertures formed therein, the apertures of the cathode side substantially aligned to form a first manifold and a second manifold in fluid communication with the mixing region, and a shim disposed adjacent the apertures, the shim including a flat plate covering a portion of the flow channels; providing a means for heating a first fluid and a second fluid; causing the first fluid to flow through the first manifold to the mixing region; causing the second fluid to flow through the second manifold to the mixing region; causing a heating of the first fluid and the second fluid by the means for heating; mixing the first fluid and the second fluid in the mixing region; and causing the fluids to flow through the flow channels to heat the fuel cell stack to militate against vapor condensation and ice formation in the fuel cell stack.