EXTERNAL MANIFOLD FOR MINIMIZING EXTERNAL LEAKAGE OF REACTANT FROM CELL STACK

摘要

A fuel cell assembly has a plurality of fuel cell component elements extending between a pair of end plates to form a stack, and plural reactant gas manifolds mounted externally of and surrounding the stack, in mutual, close sealing relationship to prevent leakage of reactant gas in the manifolds to the environment external to the manifolds. The reactant gas manifolds are configured and positioned to maximize sealing contact with smooth surfaces of the stack and the manifolds. One embodiment is configured for an oxidant reactant manifold to overlie the region where the fuel reactant manifold engages the stack. Another embodiment further subdivides an oxidant reactant manifold to include a liquid flow channel, which liquid flow channel overlies the region where the fuel reactant manifold engages the stack.

主权项

1. A fuel cell assembly, comprising:
a stack of fuel cell component elements having a first end opposite to a second end and a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side that each extend between the first and second ends; a first end plate adjacent to the first end of the stack of fuel cell components; a second end plate adjacent to the second end of the stack of fuel cell components positioned; a first oxidant reactant manifold adjacent to the first side of the stack of fuel cell components; a second oxidant reactant manifold adjacent to the second side of the stack of fuel cell components; a first fuel reactant manifold adjacent to the third side of the stack of fuel cell components; a second fuel reactant manifold adjacent to the fourth side of the stack of fuel cell components, ends of the first oxidant reactant manifold overlapping a first side of the first fuel reactant manifold and a first side of the second fuel reactant manifold, ends of the second oxidant reactant manifold overlapping a second side of the first fuel reactant manifold and a second side of the second fuel reactant manifold, the first and second oxidant reactant manifold and the first and second fuel reactant manifold being positioned to prevent leakage of reactant from the stack and the manifolds to an external environment.