Water management for a fuel cell

摘要

A fuel cell is provided that includes a water transport plate separating an air flow field and a water flow field. The driving force for moving water across the water transport plate into the water flow field is produced by a differential pressure across a restriction. The restriction is arranged between an air outlet of the cathode water transport plate and a head of a reservoir that is in fluid communication with the water flow field.

主权项

1. A fuel cell arrangement comprising:
air and water flow fields, the air flow field having an air inlet manifold providing an air inlet and an air outlet manifold providing an air outlet; a coupling having a restriction that is downstream from the air outlet and outside the water flow field, the restriction fluidly arranged between and connecting the air outlet to the water flow field, the restriction having a high pressure side provided by the air outlet and a low pressure side exposed to the water flow field, the low pressure side at a lower pressure than the high pressure side; and a reservoir in fluid communication with the water flow field, the water flow field having a water level and the reservoir having a fill line above the water level, the reservoir includes a head corresponding to the fill line that is on the low pressure side and in fluid communication with and exposed to the restriction, the reservoir includes a water drain at or above the fill line, and a valve arranged in the water drain configured to maintain the reservoir at the lower pressure.