Patent ID: 6855451

Claim:
An interconnect plate comprising a fuel intake manifold, a fuel exhaust manifold, an oxidant intake manifold, and an oxidant exhaust manifold, said interconnect plate comprising a lamination of three layers, wherein: (a) a first layer comprises a fuel plate defining a fuel flow field; (b) a second layer comprises an oxidant gas plate defining a oxidant gas field; and (c) a third layer comprises an barrier plate disposed between the fuel plate and the oxidant gas plate, said barrier plate comprising a central barrier portion separating the fuel flow field and the oxidant gas field and defining i. a fuel intake opening providing fluid communication between the fuel intake manifold and the fuel flow field, ii. a fuel exhaust opening providing fluid communication between the fuel flow field and the fuel exhaust manifold, iii. an oxidant gas intake opening providing fluid communication between the oxidant intake manifold and the oxidant gas field, iv. an oxidant gas exhaust opening providing fluid communication between the oxidant gas field and the oxidant exhaust manifold; (d) and wherein the fuel flow field, oxidant gas field and central barrier portion are centrally positioned in the interconnect and the fuel intake manifold, fuel exhaust manifold, oxidant intake manifold and oxidant exhaust manifold are peripherally positioned in the interconnect.