Fuel cell plates with skewed process channels for uniform distribution of stack compression load

Patent · Tue Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989

OSTI ID:5258265

Granata, Jr, S J; Woodle, B M

An electrochemical fuel cell includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, an electrolyte matrix sandwiched between electrodes, and a pair of plates above and below the electrodes. The plate above the electrodes has a lower surface with a first group of process gas flow channels formed thereon and the plate below the electrodes has an upper surface with a second group of process gas flow channels formed thereon. The channels of each group extend generally parallel to one another. The improvement described by the authors comprises the process gas flow channels on the lower surface of the plate above the anode electrode and the process gas flow channels on the upper surface of the plate below the cathode electrode being skewed in opposite directions such that contact areas of the surfaces of the plates through the electrodes are formed in crisscross arrangements. Also, the plates have at least one groove in areas of the surfaces thereof where the channels are absent for holding process gas and increasing electrochemical activity of the fuel cell.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
• Patent Number(s): US 4853301
• Application Number: PPN: US 6-804415A
• OSTI ID: 5258265
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300501* -- Fuel Cells-- Design & Development
ANODES
CATHODES
DESIGN
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYTES
FLUID FLOW
GAS FLOW
PLATES