Manifold system for a fuel cell stack

• US 6,541,148 B1
• Filed: 10/31/2000
• Issued: 04/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Plug Power Inc.
• Original Assignee: Plug Power Inc.
• Inventors: Woolley, Daniel F., Walsh, Michael M., Kralick, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Maples, John S.
• Application Number:
  US09/703,249
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 429/37, 429/34, 429/38, 429/35, 429/36, 429/39
• US Class Current: 429/434
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04007 related to heat exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04119 with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1007 with both reactants being gaseous or vaporised H01M8/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/2485 Arrangements for sealing external manifolds; Arrangements for mounting external manifolds around a stack
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a manifold and a hinge. The manifold forms a sealed interface to communicate reactants with the stack, and the hinge forms a pivotable connection between the stack and the manifold. The fuel cell system also includes at least one gas/water separator that is disposed in the manifold to collect water from one of the flows.

Claims

1. A fuel cell system comprising:

a fuel cell stack;

a manifold to communicate flows with the stack; and

a separator disposed in the manifold to collect water from one of the flows.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the separator comprises:

a well disposed in the manifold, the bottom of the well including an orifice to release water from the well; and

a plunger disposed in the well to control access to the orifice to regulate a water level in the well.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

a water tank attached the manifold and adapted to collect water that flows through the orifice.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the well extends into the water tank.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the well is below a water level of the water tank.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the well is integral with the manifold.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

conduits to communicate another flow to the manifold, the manifold not directly communicating said another flow with the stack; and

another separator disposed in the manifold to collect water from said another flow.

8.The system of claim 7, wherein said another separator comprises;

a well disposed in the manifold, the bottom of the well including an orifice to release water from the well; and

a plunger disposed in the well to control access to the orifice to regulate a water level in the well.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a measurement probe located in the manifold.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a heat exchanger adapted to melt ice that forms in a water tank.

8. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

a water tank attached the manifold and adapted to collect water that flows through the orifice.