Fluid flow plate, fuel cell assembly system, and method employing same for controlling heat in fuel cells
First Claim
1. A fluid flow plate for use in a fuel cell having an active region, the fluid flow plate comprising:
- a planar-shaped body having a sealed chamber therein containing a heat-transferring fluid;
said planar-shaped body having a first planar-shaped portion operable to absorb heat to vaporize said heat-transferring fluid and a second planar-shaped portion operable to release heat for condensing vaporized heat-transferring fluid; and
said first planar-shaped portion of said planar-shaped body having an outer surface having at least one flow channel for distributing a first reactant fluid to the active region of the fuel cell.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid flow plate for a fuel cell includes a generally planar-shaped body having a sealed chamber therein containing a heat-transferring fluid. A first portion of the body has an outer surface with at least one flow channel for distributing a first reactant fluid to an active region of the fuel cell. The first portion is operable to absorb heat to vaporize the heat-transferring fluid and a second portion, preferably extending beyond the active region, is operable to release heat for condensing vaporized heat-transferring fluid. Also disclosed is a system which includes a fuel cell assembly having a plurality of fuel cells and a plurality of planar-shaped heat pipes disposed between the plurality of fuel cells. A housing comprises a chamber for receiving a reactant fluid. The plurality of planar-shaped heat pipes extend into the chamber for transferring heat between the fuel cell assembly and a reactant fluid.
42 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A fluid flow plate for use in a fuel cell having an active region, the fluid flow plate comprising:
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a planar-shaped body having a sealed chamber therein containing a heat-transferring fluid; said planar-shaped body having a first planar-shaped portion operable to absorb heat to vaporize said heat-transferring fluid and a second planar-shaped portion operable to release heat for condensing vaporized heat-transferring fluid; and said first planar-shaped portion of said planar-shaped body having an outer surface having at least one flow channel for distributing a first reactant fluid to the active region of the fuel cell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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4. A fluid flow plate for use in a fuel cell having an active region, the fluid flow plate comprising:
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a body having a sealed chamber therein containing a heat-transferring fluid; said body having a first portion operable to absorb heat to vaporize said heat-transferring fluid and a second portion operable to release heat for condensing vaporized heat-transferring fluid; said first portion of said body having an outer surface having at least one flow channel for distributing a first reactant fluid to the active region of the fuel cell; and wherein said body comprises at least one passageway extending through said body for receiving a reactant fluid, and said at least one flow channel further comprising an inlet opening onto said at least one passageway. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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16. A fuel cell assembly system comprising:
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a fuel cell assembly having a plurality of fuel cells defining an active region; at least one heat pipe disposed between said plurality of fuel cells; a housing comprising at least one chamber for receiving at least one supply of reactant fluid; and wherein said at least one heat pipe extends into said at least one chamber for transferring heat between said fuel cell assembly and the at least one supply of reactant fluid. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for forming a fluid flow plate, said method comprising:
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providing a pair of planar-shaped members; forming at least one flow channel on a surface of one of said pair of planar-shaped members; providing a wick; providing a heat-transferring fluid; attaching said pair of planar-shaped members to seal said wick and said heat-transferring fluid within a chamber formed by said planar-shaped members. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A method for controlling heat in a fuel cell assembly system, said method comprising:
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providing a plurality of heat pipes interspersed in a fuel cell assembly; and transferring heat via said plurality of heat pipes between said fuel cell assembly and a first supply of reactant fluid. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A method for controlling heat in a fuel cell assembly system, said method comprising:
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providing a fuel cell assembly comprising a plurality of planar-shaped fluid flow plates each of which having a sealed chamber therein containing a heat-transferring fluid and each of which having an outer surface having at least one flow channel for distributing a first reactant fluid to an active region of said fuel cell assembly; and transferring heat via said plurality of planar-shaped fluid flow plates away from said active region of said fuel cell assembly. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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28. A method for controlling the temperature of reactant fluids to a fuel cell, said method comprising:
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providing at least one heat pipe; providing a first supply of reactant fluid; providing a second supply of reactant fluid; and transferring heat, via said at least one heat pipe, between said first supply of reactant fluid and said second supply of reactant fluid.
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Specification