Micro fuel cell architecture

a fuel cell and micro-chip technology, applied in the field of fuel cell technology, can solve the problems of increasing the thickness, volume, and size of the fuel cell package, and reducing so as to facilitate conductive thermal communication and improve the thermal management of the fuel cell
US20050014059A1Inactive Publication Date: 2005-01-20ULTRACELL LLC
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US ¡ United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
ULTRACELL LLC
Publication Date
2005-01-20
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable ¡ inactive patent

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Abstract

The present invention relates to fuel cells and components used within a fuel cell. Heat transfer appendages are described that improve fuel cell thermal management. Each heat transfer appendage is arranged on an external portion of a bi-polar plate and permits conductive heat transfer between inner portions of the bi-polar plate and outer portions of the bi-polar plate proximate to the appendage. The heat transfer appendage may be used for heating or cooling inner portions of a fuel cell stack. Improved thermal management provided by cooling the heat transfer appendages also permits new channel field designs that distribute the reactant gases to a membrane electrode assembly. Flow buffers are described that improve delivery of reactant gases and removal of reaction products. Single plate bi-polar plates may also include staggered channel designs that reduce the thickness of the single plate.
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Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 482,981 entitled “Micro machined fuel stack with integral cooling and humidification”, which is incorporated by reference for all purposes; and also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 482,996 entitled “Fuel cell system startup procedure and self-heating apparatus”, which is incorporated by reference for all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to fuel cell technology. In particular, the invention relates to fuel cells designed for portable applications.

[0003] A fuel cell electrochemically combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity. Fuel cell evolution so far has concentrated on large-scale applications such as industrial size generators for electrical power back-up.

[0004] Consumer electronics devices and other po...

Claims

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