The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 25, 1989
Filed:
Feb. 12, 1988
Harold R Kunz, Vernon, CT (US);
International Fuel Cells Corporation, South Windsor, CT (US);
Abstract
A fuel cell or fuel cell stack of the type utilizing a solid polymer electrolyte membrane is cooled by evaporation of water in the hydrogen reactant chamber of the cells. A porous graphite plate or water permeated membrane is disposed in the hydrogen reactant chamber adjacent to the electrolyte membrane. If a graphite plate is used, it is preferably grooved on the surface facing the electrolyte. The resultant lands preferably contact the supported catalyst layer on the membrane to cool the latter. Water is forced into the pores of the plate or membrane from the edge thereof, and the water vapor is carried out of the cells in the hydrogen reactant exhaust stream. A separate cooling system is thus avoided.