PEM fuel cell stack with floating current collector plates

摘要

A proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell end plate assembly provides an axial direction electric lead on an end plate of the assembly, and minimizes the contact resistance between an end fluid separator plate of a fuel cell stack and a current collector of the assembly. The current collector comprises an electrically conductive flat plate and a solid member connected together. The member goes through an opening on the end plate and provides an axial direction electric lead from the fuel cell stack. Means are provided to firmly contact the current collector and the fluid separator plate to maintain good contact across the entire area between the two components. The means of firmly contacting include moulding or bonding the separator plate and current collector together, or applying pressure to the separator plate and current collector such that firm contact is maintained between the two components.