US 2008/0280168 A1 · Fuel Cell

Abstract

A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), a fuel delivery system distributing fuel to an anode side of the MEA, and a flow distributor delivering an oxidizer to a cathode side of the MEA. The flow distributor includes at least one serpentine channel through which the oxidizer is delivered to the cathode side of the MEA. Each portion of the serpentine channel delivers oxidizer to a portion of the cathode side of the MEA in contact, directly or through a porous diffuser, with the channel portion. The channel portion transfers water with the portion of the MEA in contact with the channel portion and also transfers water between adjacent channel portions via a water-permeable, gas impermeable material that defines at least a portion of the channel.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A fuel cell comprising:

a membrane electrode assembly having an anode side and a cathode side;
a fuel delivery system distributing fuel to the anode side of the membrane electrode assembly;
and
a flow distributor delivering an oxidizer to the cathode side of the membrane electrode assembly and internally humidifying the oxidizer.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

11/746,426Filed 9 May 2007

Published

13 Nov 2008

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

H01M 8/04126
With simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying: humidifying
H01M 8/0228
Composites: in the form of layered or coated products
H01M 8/0263
Characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant: having meandering or serpentine paths
H01M 8/04149
Humidifying: by diffusion, e.g. making use of membranes

Fuel Cell

Life of this patent

Fuel Cell

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29