FUEL CELL FLUID FLOW FIELD PLATE WITH DISCONTINUOUS FLUID FLOW CHANNELS

摘要

Fluid flow field plates (180) for electrochemical fuel cells incorporate discontinuous fluid flow channels. The plates are formed from an electrically conductive, fluid impermeable material having a major surface in which at least one inlet channel (186) extends from a pressurized fluid reactant inlet (182). At least one outlet channel (192) extends from a fluid reactant outlet (188) formed in the major surface. Each inlet channel is discontinuous with respect to each outlet channel. The pressurized fluid reactant is urged through the interstices of the adjacent porous electrode material between each inlet channel and each outlet channel. The discontinuous flow field channels can also be formed in the surface of the electrode, in which case the flow field plates are replaced with thinner, electrically conductive, fluid impermeable separator plates.