Fuel cell water management arrangement

摘要

An example fuel cell device includes an electrode assembly having two gas diffusion layers (GDLs). One GDL is adjacent to the anode electrode and the other GDL is adjacent to the cathode electrode. Seals on the periphery of the GDLs are configured to block reactant gases from direct mixing within the GDLs. Sealing the perimeter of the GDLs blocks liquid-water flow from exiting the gas diffusion layer. The disclosed example provides an opening in the seal near a fluid exit area of the fuel cell that provides a path for communicating water from the active area through a perimeter portion of the GDL. An example method of managing fluid in a fuel cell includes providing an opening in a perimeter seal of a GDL of the fuel cell. The method communicates a fluid through a channel in the plate and moves water through the opening using the fluid.

主权项

1. A fuel cell device, comprising:
an electrode assembly having a gas diffusion layer; a seal that blocks water flow from a perimeter portion of the gas diffusion layer, the seal having an opening near a fluid exit area of the fuel cell device that provides a path for communicating water from the perimeter portion of the gas diffusion layer; and a plate adjacent the gas diffusion layer, the plate establishing a channel configured to communicate fluid across the gas diffusion layer between a fluid inlet area and the fluid exit area.