FUEL CELL INCORPORATING HEAT-SENSING POLYMER INTRODUCED THEREIN

摘要

FIELD: electrical engineering; fuel cells needing in-service regulation of polymeric-electrolyte membrane hydration level. ^ SUBSTANCE: heat-sensing polymer is introduced in proposed fuel cell to maintain optimal hydration of polymeric-electrolyte membrane. Heat-sensing polymer is disposed near membrane-electrode assembly so that gaseous fuel or oxidant is passed through heat-sensing polymer to membrane-electrode assembly. Heat-sensing polymer swells or shrinks in response to variations in membrane-electrode assembly temperature thereby varying intensity of gaseous-fuel or oxidant flow through heat-sensing polymer. ^ EFFECT: ability of maintaining optimal hydration of polymeric-electrolyte membrane, enhanced reliability of fuel cell mechanical design. ^ 7 cl, 5 dwg