Modular polymer electrolyte membrane unit fuel cell assembly and fuel cell stack
First Claim
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1. A Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cell assembly comprising:
- a body having a cavity for receiving a Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA), wherein the cavity is hermetically divisible into a cathode chamber and an anode chamber by the insertion of an anode conductor, a cathode conductor, and an MEA;
an integral connector projecting from the anode chamber to the exterior of the body; and
an external connector projecting from the cathode chamber to the exterior of the body.
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Abstract
Disclosed is a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell assembly apparatus for receiving an inserted membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The apparatus includes modular features for connecting a plurality of fuel cells into a planar fuel cell “stack” capable of using ambient air to supply oxidant gas and dissipate heat and water vapor. The invention also facilitates convenient removal and replacement of individual cells or MEAs in a stack without disassembly of the entire stack.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cell assembly comprising:
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a body having a cavity for receiving a Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA), wherein the cavity is hermetically divisible into a cathode chamber and an anode chamber by the insertion of an anode conductor, a cathode conductor, and an MEA;
an integral connector projecting from the anode chamber to the exterior of the body; and
an external connector projecting from the cathode chamber to the exterior of the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
an anode conductor in hermetically-sealing contact with the cavity walls and electrically coupled to the integral connector; and
a cathode conductor in contact with the cavity walls and electrically coupled to the external connector.
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3. A PEM fuel cell assembly according to claim 1 further comprising an MEA inserted into the cavity, the MEA having an anode surface in electrically-coupling and hermetically-sealing contact with the anode conductor, a central membrane, and an opposing cathode surface in electrically-coupling contact with the cathode conductor.
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4. A PEM fuel cell assembly according to claim 1 further comprising at least one locking tab on the inner surface(s) of the chamber for grasping the anode conductor, cathode conductor, and MEA.
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5. A PEM fuel cell assembly according to claim 1 wherein the external connector comprises at least one heat-dissipation surface.
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6. A PEM fuel cell assembly according to claim 1 wherein the integral connector comprises at least one heat-dissipation surface.
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7. A PEM fuel cell assembly according to claim 1 wherein the anode conductor and the cathode conductor comprise an elastomeric material.
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8. A PEM fuel cell assembly according to claim 1 further comprising connectors on the body for mechanically and electrically coupling a plurality of the fuel cell assemblies.
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9. A PEM fuel cell assembly according to claim 1 further comprising an integrated fuel port portion of the body for conducting fuel into the anode chamber through a fuel aperture.
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10. A PEM fuel cell assembly according to claim 9 wherein the fuel aperture is opposite the anode surface of the MEA.
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11. A PEM fuel cell assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a lid for covering the cathode chamber, the lid removably securable to the body and having an aperture opposite the cathode surface of the MEA.
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12. A PEM fuel cell assembly according to claim 11 wherein the external connector is incorporated into the lid.
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13. A PEM fuel cell assembly according to claim 12 further comprising a snap-lock coupling for removably securing the lid to the body.
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14. A PEM fuel cell stack assembly comprising:
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a plurality of bodies, each body having one or more connector for joining to an identical body, each body also having a cavity for receiving a Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA), wherein each cavity is hermetically divisible into a cathode chamber and an anode chamber by the insertion of an anode conductor, a cathode conductor, and an MEA;
an integral connector projecting from each anode chamber to the exterior of each body;
an external connector projecting from each cathode chamber to the exterior of each body;
an anode conductor in each cavity and in hermetically-sealing contact with the cavity walls and electrically coupled to an integral connector;
a cathode conductor in each cavity in contact with the cavity walls and electrically coupled to an external connector; and
an MEA inserted into each cavity, each MEA having an anode surface in electrically-coupling and hermetically-sealing contact with an anode conductor, a central membrane, and an opposing cathode surface in electrically-coupling and hermetically-sealing contact with a cathode conductor;
wherein the integral connectors and external connectors are electrically coupled in series for providing a continuous electrical path between the anode conductor of a body and the cathode conductor of an adjacent body. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A PEM fuel cell stack assembly comprising:
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a unitized body having a plurality of cavities wherein each cavity is hermetically divisible into a cathode chamber and an anode chamber by the insertion of an anode conductor, a cathode conductor, and an MEA;
an integral connector projecting from each anode chamber;
an external connector projecting from each cathode chamber;
an anode conductor in each cavity and in hermetically-sealing contact with the cavity walls and electrically coupled to an integral connector;
a cathode conductor in each cavity in contact with the cavity walls and electrically coupled to an external connector at each cavity;
an end connector electrically coupled to the terminal external connector; and
an MEA inserted into each cavity, each MEA having an anode surface in electrically-coupling and hermetically-sealing contact with an anode conductor, a central membrane, and an opposing cathode surface in electrically-coupling contact with a cathode conductor;
wherein the integral connectors and external connectors are electrically coupled in series for providing a continuous electrical path between an anode conductor and a corresponding cathode conductor. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification