Electrochemical fuel cell stack with compression mechanism extending through interior manifold headers
First Claim
1. An electrochemical fuel cell stack for producing electrical energy and reaction product from a fluid fuel stream and a fluid oxidant stream, said stack comprising:
- (a) a first end plate;
(b) a second end plate;
(c) at least one fuel cell assembly interposed between said first and second end plates, said at least one fuel cell assembly comprising a membrane electrode assembly having a catalytically active region and further having at least one opening formed therein extending through said catalytically active region;
(d) a compression assembly comprising at least one restraining member extending within said at least one opening, fastening means disposed at opposite ends of said at least one restraining member, and compressive means interposed between at least one of said fastening means and at least one of said first and second end plates;
whereby said fastening means and said compressive means urge said first end plate toward said second end plate, thereby applying compressive force to said at least one fuel cell assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrochemical fuel cell stack has a first end plate, a second end plate, and fuel cell assemblies interposed therebetween. Each fuel cell assembly includes a membrane electrode assembly having at least one manifold header opening formed in the assembly for directing at least one of a fluid fuel stream, a fluid oxidant stream and a fluid coolant stream through the assembly. A tie rod extends within the opening and through each of the first and second end plates. Fastening means are disposed at opposite ends of the tie rod. Compressive means are interposed between at least one of the fastening means and at least one of the first and second end plates. In operation, the fastening means and the compressive means urge the first end plate toward the second end plate, thereby applying compressive force to the fuel cell assemblies.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An electrochemical fuel cell stack for producing electrical energy and reaction product from a fluid fuel stream and a fluid oxidant stream, said stack comprising:
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(a) a first end plate; (b) a second end plate; (c) at least one fuel cell assembly interposed between said first and second end plates, said at least one fuel cell assembly comprising a membrane electrode assembly having a catalytically active region and further having at least one opening formed therein extending through said catalytically active region; (d) a compression assembly comprising at least one restraining member extending within said at least one opening, fastening means disposed at opposite ends of said at least one restraining member, and compressive means interposed between at least one of said fastening means and at least one of said first and second end plates; whereby said fastening means and said compressive means urge said first end plate toward said second end plate, thereby applying compressive force to said at least one fuel cell assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An electrochemical fuel cell stack for producing electrical energy and reaction product from a fluid fuel stream and a fluid oxidant stream, said stack comprising:
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(a) a fluid coolant stream; (b) a first end plate; (c) a second end plate; (d) at least one fuel cell assembly interposed between said first and second end plates, said at least one fuel cell assembly comprising a membrane electrode assembly having a catalytically active region and further having at least one opening formed therein extending through said catalytically active region; (e) a compression assembly comprising at least one restraining member extending within said at least one opening, fastening means disposed at opposite ends of said at least one restraining member, and compressive means interposed between at least one of said fastening means and at least one of said first and second end plates; whereby said fastening means and said compressive means urge said first end plate toward said second end plate, thereby applying compressive force to said at least one fuel cell assembly. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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- 25. An electrochemical fuel cell stack for producing electrical energy and reaction product from a fluid fuel stream and a fluid oxidant stream, said stack comprising a fuel stream inlet, an oxidant stream inlet, and at least one fuel cell assembly comprising a membrane electrode assembly having a catalytically active region, said at least one fuel cell assembly having openings formed therein extending through said catalytically active region, said openings comprising an inlet fuel stream header opening and an inlet oxidant stream header opening, wherein said inlet fuel stream header opening is in direct, unbranched fluid communication with said fuel stream inlet and said inlet oxidant stream header opening is in direct, unbranched fluid communication with said oxidant stream inlet.
Specification