Fuel cell system and fuel cells therefor.

摘要

A fuel cell includes an electrolyte layer (1) in form of a plate, an oxygen electrode (2) formed on one surface of the electrolyte layer, a fuel electrode (3) formed on the other surface of the electrolyte layer, and a conductive separator (4) opposed to the oxygen electrode or fuel electrode for defining oxygen-containing gas passages or fuel gas passages. The separator includes a plate-like portion (4a) opposed to and spaced from the oxygen electrode or fuel electrode, a pair of strip-shaped projections (4b) extending along opposite ends of the plate-like portion for contacting opposite edges of the electrolyte layer, and a plurality of ridges (4c) for defining gas passages in form of grooves between the pair of strip-shaped projections. A fuel cell system includes a plurality of such fuel cells stacked one over another in a spaced relationship to define fuel gas passages or oxygen-containing gas passages in between. A flexible conductive element is disposed between an adjacent pair of the fuel cells.