Flow field plate for a fuel cell and fuel cell assembly incorporating the flow field plate
OwnerDavid Frank, Joseph Cargnelliinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flow field plate for a fuel cell has, on the front side thereof, flow channels for a reactant gas. At least two slots extending from the front thereof to the rear side. On the rear side, for each of the two apertures for the reactant gas, there is an aperture extension, providing a flow path from each aperture to a respective slot. The enables sealing surfaces, on the two surfaces to be offset so as to be fully supported, and to be located on opposite sides of corresponding slots. The arrangement avoids having to provide seal or gasket portions crossing flow channels and ensures that all portions of each gasket are properly supported.
Claims9
A flow field plate for a fuel cell, the flow field plate having a front side, for defining a chamber with a complementary flow field plate for a membrane electrode assembly, and a rear side, the flow field plate including:
- at least two apertures for a reactant gas for supply to said chambers;
- on the front side thereof, reactant gas flow field channels;
- for each of the apertures, an aperture extension extending on the rear side of the flow field plate;
- for each aperture, at least one slot extending through the flow field plate from the back side to the front side thereof, to provide communication between the corresponding aperture extension and the reactant action gas flow channels.
A fuel cell assembly including at least one fuel cell, wherein each fuel cell comprises:
- first and second complementary flow field plates including a front sides and rear side, with the front surfaces facing one another and defining a fuel cell chamber;
- a membrane electrode assembly and gas diffusion media provided within the fuel cell chamber;
- at least two first apertures in each flow field plate for a first reactant gas and at least two second apertures in each flow field plate for a second reactant gas;
- wherein the first flow field plate includes:
- first reactant gas flow channels on the front side thereof;
- first slots extending from the first reactant gas flow channels to the rear side thereof;
- for each of the first apertures thereof, on the rear site thereof, a first aperture extension, providing communication between the first apertures thereof and said first slots;
- and
- wherein the second flow field plate includes:
- second reactant gas flow channels on the front side thereof;
- second slots extending from the second reactant gas flow channels to the rear side thereof;
- for each of the second apertures thereof, on the rear side thereof, a second aperture extension, providing communication between the second apertures thereof and said second slots.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.