Non-bipolar fuel cell stack configuration
OwnerRobert G. Hockadayinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A non-bipolar fuel cell stack configuration where non-bipolar fuel cell arrays, manufactured on reel-to-reel sheets of porous plastic substrate material, are electronically connected in parallel with air and/or oxidizing gas flowing between the arrays. Separator plates of conventional type bipolar fuel cell stacks are eliminated in this approach and many of the electrical contact problems associated with conventional fuel cell stack are overcome. The present invention enables large power fuel cells, with relatively low total mass, to be readily manufactured at low cost.
Claims10
A non-bipolar fuel cell stack apparatus for delivering power comprising fuel cell assemblies each further comprising two fuel cell arrays with fuel electrode sides facing inward and air sides facing outward, mounted in a stack and electrically connected in parallel to positive and negative electrical connections, central air manifolds mounted between the fuel cell assemblies and end cap air manifolds mounted on ends of the stack and coupled by central air manifolds to the air sides of said fuel cell assemblies on the ends of the stack, the air manifolds having serpentine air flow channels from side-to-side of the assemblies in the stack, fuel manifolds coupled to the fuel sides of said fuel cell arrays in the fuel cell assemblies, hollow fuel lines and compression bolts connected to the fuel manifolds and extending through the air manifolds and fuel cell assemblies, an external fuel tank, an external fuel control valve, an external fuel line coupling said fuel tank and said fuel control valve, a fuel input coupler connected to the hollow fuel lines, a second external fuel line coupling said fuel control valve and said fuel input coupler.
A non-bipolar fuel cell stack apparatus comprising fuel cell assemblies each further comprising two fuel cell arrays with fuel electrode sides facing inward and air sides facing outward mounted in a stack.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.