Patent ID: 7807309

Claim:
A fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells arranged in a stacked configuration, an internal coolant flow path through said fuel cells, and an internal coolant vent passageway separate and distinct from said internal coolant flow path, said internal coolant vent passageway communicating with said internal coolant flow path; and a coolant system communicating with said internal coolant flow path and supplying a coolant flow to said internal coolant flow path and receiving said coolant flow from said internal coolant flow path after passing through said fuel cell stack, said coolant system including a vent line communicating with said internal coolant vent passageway and with said internal coolant flow path through said internal coolant vent passageway, wherein said internal coolant vent passageway allows gas within said internal coolant flow path to be removed therefrom, exit said fuel cell stack, and flow into said vent line.