Patent ID: 7829231

Claim:
A fuel cell assembly having a flow distribution subassembly, the subassembly comprising: a first set of flow channels facing an anode for distribution of a fuel reactant to said anode; a second set of flow channels facing a cathode for distribution of an oxidant to said cathode; a third set of flow channels in flow communication with said second set of flow channels, said third set of flow channels in direct heat transfer relation with a membrane electrode assembly and at least one of said anode and said cathode and receiving said oxidant upstream of said second set of flow channels; and a fourth set of flow channels in heat transfer relation with at least one of said anode and said cathode and receiving a coolant fluid that is different from said oxidant; wherein said third set of flow channels is configured to transfer heat from said membrane electrode assembly to said oxidant therein, thereby cooling said membrane electrode assembly and heating said oxidant prior to directing said heated oxidant to said second set of flow channels for reaction.