Fuel Cell with Rapid Pressure Balancing

A method of operating a fuel cell having:

• a housing providing a first and second compartment separated by a proton exchange membrane, the second compartment having a volume defined at least in part by a degree of expansion of an expandable chamber communicating with the second volume;
• a first gas inlet communicating with the first compartment to provide one of a fuel and oxidizer into the first compartment;
• a second gas inlet communicating with the second compartment to provide an other of the fuel and oxidizer into the second compartment;
• and
• a gas conduit communicating with the first compartment and the expandable chamber;
• the method comprising the steps of:
• (a) introducing one of a fuel and oxidizer into the first gas inlet;
• (b) introducing an other of the fuel and oxidizer into the second gas inlet and into the expandable chamber via the gas conduit;
• and
• (c) allowing change in volume in the expandable chamber to equalize pressures between the first and second compartment.

A method of fabricating a fuel cell of the form having:

• a housing providing a first and second compartment separated by a proton exchange membrane, the second compartment having a volume defined at least in part by a degree of expansion of an expandable chamber communicating with the second volume;
• a first gas inlet communicating with the first compartment to provide one of a fuel and oxidizer into the first compartment;
• a second gas inlet communicating with the second compartment to provide an other of the fuel and oxidizer into the second compartment;
• and
• a gas conduit communicating with the first compartment and the expandable chamber to substantially equalize pressures between the first and second compartment;
• the method comprising the steps of:
• (a) forming a set of axially stacking elements providing axial gas flow therethrough and having peripheral front and back lips;
• (b) forming a set of end cap elements stacking with the axial stacking elements;
• (c) forming a proton exchange membrane and flexible diaphragm stacking with the axial stacking elements;
• (d) fitting opposed front lips of the first and second element against a peripheral region of the proton exchange membrane to seal thereagainst;
• (e) fitting a first end cap against a back lip of the first element opposite the second element to define the first compartment;
• (g) fitting an opposed front lip of a third element and back lip of the second element against a peripheral region of the flexible diaphragm on opposite sides thereof to seal thereagainst, the second element, proton exchange membrane, and flexible diaphragm defining the second compartment;
• and
• (h) fitting a second cap against a back lip of the third element, the flexible diaphragm, third element, and second cap defining the expandable chamber.