Gas-distributing plate for compact fuel cells and separator plate using the gas-distributing plate

Abstract

A perforated gas-distributing plate for compact fuel cells made of a metal material such as stainless steel on which gas flow paths are formed by an etching process, and a separator plate manufactured using the gas-distributing plate are disclosed. The separator plate manufactured using the gas-distributing plate may possibly be thinner and no more susceptible to breakage by an externally applied force due to its higher physical strength, compared to conventional graphite separator plates. In addition, since the gas channels formed on the gas-distributing plate have the same dimension, contact resistance decreases and thus the performance of fuel cell increases. Furthermore, since the separator plate is made of a metal material such as stainless steel, cost and manpower are reduced when etching the separator plate, and thus mass production of the separator plate is possible. Therefore, compact fuel cells comprising the separator plate are advantageous in terms of power density, reliability and economic efficiency.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.