James Watton

Title: James Watton and Fuel-Cell Gas Diffusion

Introduction

James Watton is an inventor associated with Leicestershire, Great Britain, and Intelligent Energy Inc. His patent work concerns fluid distribution in fuel-cell stacks, where balanced gas flow can support effective operation across the active regions of a fuel-cell assembly.

Latest Patents

Watton is associated with 1 patent: “Gas Diffusion Method for Use with Fuel Cell Stack.” The invention describes a method for managing fluid diffusion across the active regions of a fuel-cell cathode or anode. It uses a sealing gasket to form a fluid-confinement space, with inlet and outlet openings that communicate with that space.

A generally planar, rectangular porous gas-diffusion layer is positioned within the assembly. The design forms inlet and outlet plenums around the layer’s edges and balances resistance to flow along the inlet plenum against resistance to flow across the diffusion layer. This arrangement is intended to distribute fluid more evenly across the layer before it reaches the outlet.

Career Highlights

The patent reflects Watton’s work on fuel-cell stack design and the practical challenge of distributing reactant gases across an electrode’s active area. His association with Intelligent Energy Inc. connects this invention to the company’s fuel-cell technology activities.

Collaborations

Simon Foster is identified as Watton’s coworker. The available information does not specify whether Foster collaborated on this patent or on a particular project with Watton.

Conclusion

James Watton’s patent addresses gas-flow management in fuel-cell stacks through a diffusion-layer and plenum arrangement designed to promote more uniform fluid distribution.