Fuel-cell assembly comprising an electrolyte reservoir
AssigneeMTU CFC Solutions GmbH
InventorJoachim Hoffmann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fuel cell assembly including a number of fuel cells (12) arranged in a stack (10). Each fuel cell contains an anode (1), a cathode (2) and a porous electrolyte matrix (3) arranged therebetween. An electrolyte reservoir (11), which compensates the electrolyte losses from the fuel cells (12) is provided at the end, or in the vicinity of the end of the fuel cell stack (10). The electrolyte is transported to the individual fuel cells (12) by electrical forces within the fuel cell stack (10). The electrolyte reservoir (11) is configured as a supporting structure which forms hollow chambers that contain porous bodies for absorbing the electrolyte in their pores.
Claims19
A fuel cell assembly comprising;
- a plurality of fuel cells arranged in the form of a stack between first and second end plates, each of said fuel cells including an anode electrode, a cathode and a porous electrolyte matrix arranged between said anode and cathode electrode;
- a plurality of pairs of current collectors and bipolar plates wherein each one of said pairs is arranged between adjacent fuel cells in said stack;
- an electrolyte reservoir for compensating electrolyte losses from said plurality of fuel cells, said electrolyte reservoir positioned in the vicinity of one end of said fuel stack and said reservoir including a plurality of hollow chambers wherein the electrolyte is introduced into said hollow chambers as a component of a spreadable or flowing paste, wherein additional components of the paste result in a porous body after curing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.