| 摘要 |
A lightweight direct methanol fuel cell unit ( 20 ) comprising a fuel cell stack ( 24 ) enclosed within a housing ( 22 ). In one embodiment the fuel cell stack includes a plurality of polymer electrolyte membrane electrode assemblies ( 52 ) stacked alternatingly with a plurality of bipolar plates ( 48 ). Each bipolar plate includes a cathode flow field ( 78 ) defined by a porous cathode flow field structure ( 56 ) and an anode flow field ( 62 ) defined by an upper plate ( 58 ) and a lower plate ( 60 ) separated from one another by a plurality of spacers ( 64 ). The anode flow fields are manifolded with one another via manifold embossments ( 118, 120 ) that are hermetically sealed with one another with a gasket ( 126 ). The fuel cell stack and housing are shaped so as to form four manifold regions ( 36 ) in the spaces between the fuel cell stack and housing. The fuel cell stack is compressed within the housing by compression members ( 94 ) located between the fuel cell stack and housing so as to place the sidewall ( 30 ) of the housing into tension. Supporting systems for the fuel cell unit include a fuel handling system ( 502 ), an oxidant handling system ( 600 ), and a liquid inventory control system ( 700 ).
|
