IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,998,186
Granted Patent B2
US 6,998,186 · App. 10/445,348 · Granted Feb 14, 2006

Fuel cell stack

Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,998,186
App. No.
10/445,348
Granted
Feb 14, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A fuel cell stack includes power generation cells, terminal plates, first cooling cells, and second cooling cells. The terminal plates are electrically connected to the power generation cells. The first cooling cells are interposed between the terminal plates, and a cooling liquid is supplied to the first cooling cells for cooling the power generation cells. The second cooling cells are interposed between the terminal plates. A predetermined number of power generation cells are interposed between the first cooling cell and the second cooling cell. A cooling air is supplied to the second cooling cell for cooing the power generation cells.

Claims (18)

1. A fuel cell stack comprising:

a plurality of power generation cells each having an assembly and separators, said assembly interposed between said separators and including an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte interposed between said anode and said cathode;

a pair of terminal plates electrically connected to said power generation cells;

at least one first cooling cell having an insulator, said first cooling cell interposed between said terminal plates; and

at least one second cooling cell interposed between said terminal plates, wherein

a fuel gas is supplied to said anode;

an oxygen-containing gas is supplied to said cathode;

a cooling liquid for cooling said power generation cells is supplied to said first cooling cell;

a cooling gas for cooling said power generation cells is supplied to said second cooling cell; and

a predetermined number of said power generation cells are interposed between said first cooling cell and said second cooling cell.

2. A fuel cell stack according to claim 1 , wherein a number of said power generation cells interposed between said first cooling cell and said second cooling cell, and a number of said power generation cells interposed between said second cooling cell and said terminal plate are the same.

3. A fuel cell stack according to claim 1 , wherein said second cooling cell is interposed between adjacent first cooling cells only.

4. A fuel cell stack according to claim 1 , wherein said second cooling cell includes a passage plate and a cover plate stacked on said passage plate to form a cooling gas passage.

5. A fuel cell stack according to claim 4 , wherein said cooling gas passage is formed on a surface of said passage plate, and includes a plurality of grooves extending vertically linearly for allowing said cooling gas to flow vertically upwardly.

6. A fuel cell according to claim 5 , wherein a gas inlet is connected to a lower portion of said grooves through a guide for equally supplying said cooling gas to said grooves through said guide.

7. A fuel cell stack according to claim 1 , wherein third cooling cells are provided outside said terminal plates oppositely to said power generation cells, and a coolant for cooling said power generation cells is supplied to said third cooling cells.

8. A fuel cell stack according to claim 1 , wherein said fuel cell stack is mounted on a vehicle, and further comprises a cooling gas supply unit for supplying said cooling gas to said second cooling cell.

9. A fuel cell stack according to claim 8 , wherein said cooling gas supply unit utilizes a relative wind while said vehicle is moving for supplying said cooling gas to said second cooling cells.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 22, 2003
From: SATO, SHUJI; ISE, MASAHIRO; OKAZAKI, KOJI
To: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 014131/0093 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2002-149183 · May 23, 2002 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20050266286A1 · Dec 1, 2005