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:
Mar. 23, 2004
Filed:
Oct. 01, 2001
Kevin R. Keegan, Hilton, NY (US);
Bernie Fischer, Rochester, NY (US);
Diane M. England, Bloomfield, NY (US);
Delphi Technologies, Inc., Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
A fuel cell having an optimized flow space for the passage of hydrogen gas across the surface of an anode. The invention prevents destructive oxidation of the anode by preventing the buildup of locally high levels of oxygen. The anode surface itself may be shaped in lateral plan to follow the natural contours of gas flow to eliminate hydrogen stagnation areas on the anode surface. Alternatively, the anode surface or the cathode surface may be coated in regions of anode stagnation to prevent the fuel cell reactions from occurring in those regions. Alternatively, the gas seals may be formed to cover the anode surface in stagnation regions. Alternatively, the cathode and/or electrolyte may be shaped or thickened to reduce or prevent diffusion of oxygen ions therethrough.