FLUID FLOW PLATE, FUEL CELL ASSEMBLY SYSTEM, AND METHOD EMPLOYING SAME FOR CONTROLLING HEAT IN FUEL CELLS

摘要

A fluid flow plate (400) for a fuel cell includes a generally planar-shaped body (401) having a sealed chamber (403) therein containing a heat-transferring fluid (405). A first portion (407) of the body (401) has an outer surface (402) with at least one flow channel (404) for distributing a first reactant fluid to an active region of the fuel cell. The first portion (407) is operable to absorb heat to vaporize the heat-transferring fluid and a second portion (408), preferably extending beyond the active region, is operable to release heat for condensing vaporized heat-transferring fluid (405). Also disclosed is a system (700) which includes a fuel cell assembly (720) having a plurality of fuel cells and a plurality of planar-shaped heat pipes (800) disposed between the plurality of fuel cells (725). A housing (730) comprises a chamber (732, 734) for receiving a reactant fluid. The plurality of planar-shaped heat pipes (800) extend into the chamber (732, 734) for transferring heat between the fuel cell assembly (720) and a reactant fluid.