Fluid flow plate, fuel cell assembly system, and method employing same for controlling heat in fuel cells

A fluid flow plate for use in a fuel cell having an active region, the fluid flow plate comprising:

• a body having a sealed chamber therein containing a heat-transferring fluid;
• said body having a first portion operable to absorb heat to vaporize said heat-transferring fluid and a second portion operable to release heat for condensing vaporized heat-transferring fluid;
• said first portion of said body having an outer surface having at least one flow channel for distributing a first reactant fluid to the active region of the fuel cell;
• and
• wherein said body comprises at least one passageway extending through said body for receiving a reactant fluid, and said at least one flow channel further comprising an inlet opening onto said at least one passageway.

A fuel cell assembly system comprising:

• a fuel cell assembly having a plurality of fuel cells defining an active region;
• at least one heat pipe disposed between said plurality of fuel cells;
• a housing comprising at least one chamber for receiving at least one supply of reactant fluid;
• and
• wherein said at least one heat pipe extends into said at least one chamber for transferring heat between said fuel cell assembly and the at least one supply of reactant fluid.

A method for forming a fluid flow plate, said method comprising:

• providing a pair of planar-shaped members;
• forming at least one flow channel on a surface of one of said pair of planar-shaped members;
• providing a wick;
• providing a heat-transferring fluid;
• attaching said pair of planar-shaped members to seal said wick and said heat-transferring fluid within a chamber formed by said planar-shaped members.

A method for controlling the temperature of reactant fluids to a fuel cell, said method comprising:

• providing at least one heat pipe;
• providing a first supply of reactant fluid;
• providing a second supply of reactant fluid;
• and
• transferring heat, via said at least one heat pipe, between said first supply of reactant fluid and said second supply of reactant fluid.