# US 10,312,528 B2 · Fuel cell stack

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,312,528 B2
- Document ID: US10312528B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/573,296
- Filed: 2015-05-13
- Published: 2018-05-17
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2015-05-13
- Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Motoki Yaginuma; Akira Yasutake
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10312528B2

## CPC

- H01M 8/0258: characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
- H01M 8/02: Details (electrodes H01M4/86 - H01M4/98)
- H01M 8/0273: with sealing or supporting means in the form of a frame
- H01M 8/04156: {with product water removal}
- H01M 8/1018: Polymeric electrolyte materials
- H01M 8/24: Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
- H01M 8/242: comprising framed electrodes or intermediary frame-like gaskets (H01M8/2425, H01M8/244 take precedence)
- H01M 8/2483: characterised by internal manifolds
- H01M 2008/1095: {Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes}
- Y02E 60/50: Fuel cells
- Y02P 70/50: Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

A fuel cell stack includes a stacked plurality of single cells that includes respective membrane electrode assemblies 1 with peripheral frames 51 and respective pairs of separators 2A, 2B holding the frames 51 and the membrane electrode assemblies 1 between them, in which the frames 51 and the separators 2A, 2B of the single cells C include respective distribution holes H3 that continue to each other in the stacked position to form a manifold M3 for distributing reaction gas, at least a part of the inner wall of the manifold M3 is formed in a continuous flat shape that extends in the stacking direction of the single cells C. Generated water is suitably discharged through the manifold M3 without a decrease of the flowability of reaction gas and an increase of the production cost.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fuel cell stack comprising a stacked plurality of single cells, each of the single cells having a membrane electrode assembly with a peripheral frame and a pair of separators holding the peripheral frame and the membrane electrode assembly between them, wherein
the peripheral frame and the separators of each of the single cells have distribution holes that continue to each other in a stacked state to form a manifold configured to distribute reaction gas,
at least a part of an inner wall of the manifold is formed in a continuous flat shape that extends in a stacking direction of the single cells, and
the peripheral frame of each of the single cells comprises a rib that is disposed in an inner wall of each of the distribution holes and that protrudes at least from one side of the peripheral frame,
the rib of the peripheral frame of each of the single cells protrudes at least from one side of the peripheral frame to cover the inner wall of the distribution hole of the separator,
the peripheral frame of each of the single cells further comprises a flattening face that includes a side wall of the rib, and
the flattening face of the peripheral frame of each of the single cells continues to an adjacent flattening face such that at least a part of the inner wall of the manifold is formed in the continuous flat shape that extends in the stacking direction of the single cells.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The fuel cell stack according to claim 1, wherein a flat part of the inner wall of the manifold extends at least in a lower side with respect to a direction of gravity.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The fuel cell stack according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral frame of each of the single cells comprises an adhesive portion configured for adhesion to an opposed member adjacent in the stacking direction at an edge of each of the distribution holes and a pit configured for adhesive on an opposite side of the adhesive portion from the distribution hole.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The fuel cell stack according to claim 3, wherein the adhesive portion comprises an inclined face that forms a downward slope to the pit.