Series/parallel connection of planar fuel cell stacks

摘要

A parallel electrical connector between a first fuel cell stack having a first conducting plate and a second fuel cell stack having a second conducting plate includes a connector element affixed to the first and second conducting plates. The connector element is positioned adjacent a first open face of the first fuel cell stack and a second open face of the second fuel cell stack, wherein the first and second open faces are juxtaposed to one another. Also, the connector element is positioned substantially parallel to at least one of the first and second conducting plates. It is also configured to substantially match a configuration of at least one of the first and second conducting plates. Series-parallel connection is provided at the cell or higher cell level for two or more stacks.