Multi-cell fuel cell layer and system
View Patent ↗A fuel cell layer includes a substrate, an array of fuel cells each having an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte disposed on the substrate, conductors electrically coupled to the fuel cell array, a fuel flow channel defined in an anode side of the substrate; and a cathode air flow channel defined in a cathode side of the substrate.
1. A multi-cell fuel cell layer, comprising:
a substrate having defined therein a fuel inlet, an exhaust, a cathode air inlet, and an excess cathode air outlet;
an array of fuel cells each having an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte disposed on said substrate;
conductors electrically coupled to said fuel cell array;
a fuel flow channel defined in a first, anode side of said substrate; and
a cathode air flow channel defined in a second and opposite, cathode side of said substrate.
2. The fuel cell layer of claim 1 wherein said cathode air inlet and said excess cathode air outlet are in fluid communication with said cathode air flow channel.
3. The fuel cell layer of claim 1 wherein said fuel inlet and exhaust are defined in first and second opposing corner portions of said substrate and said inlet cathode air and excess cathode air outlets are defined in third and fourth opposing corner portions of said substrate.
4. The fuel cell layer of claim 1 wherein said conductors comprise a positive conductor extending to said cathode air inlet and a negative conductor extending to said excess cathode air outlet.
5. The fuel cell layer of claim 1 further comprising flow modification features associated with either or both of said fuel flow channel and said cathode air flow channel, said flow modification features being configured to distribute a flow of fuel or air emerging from an inlet across a width of said fuel flow channel or said air flow channel, respectively.
6. The fuel cell layer of claim 5 wherein said flow modification features comprise a plurality of baffles.