Patent ID: 6878477

Claim:
A fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cells, each fuel cell comprising an anode flow field plate, a cathode flow field plate and a membrane electrode assembly disposed between the anode and cathode flow field plates, wherein the anode flow field plate includes a plurality of anode primary channels and a plurality of ribs separating the anode primary channels, wherein the cathode flow field plate includes a plurality of cathode primary channels and a plurality of ribs separating the cathode primary channels, and wherein at least a portion of the anode primary channels and the cathode primary channels are disposed directly opposite one another with the membrane exchange assembly therebetween and with at least some of the ribs of the anode flow field plate matching the ribs on the cathode flow field plate and being located directly opposite one another to sandwich the membrane exchange assembly therebetween; and wherein, for each fuel cell, the anode flow field plate includes a plurality of fuel inlet distribution channels and fuel outlet collection channels, each of the fuel inlet distribution and outlet collection channels being connected to a plurality of the anode primary channels, and wherein, for each fuel cell, the cathode flow field plate includes a plurality of oxidant inlet distribution and oxidant outlet collection channels, each of the oxidant inlet distribution and oxidant outlet collection channels being connected to a plurality of the cathode primary channels.