Claims
- 1. A distribution frame for a fuel cell assembly comprising:
(a) a substantially planar frame, the substantially planar frame having an anode side, a cathode side, and a central cavity suitable for housing a fuel cell; (b) at least 2 fuel inlet apertures, the fuel inlet apertures extending completely through the distribution frame and each fuel inlet aperture being located 180° from the other, and each fuel inlet aperture having an interior side; (c) an air inlet aperture, the air inlet aperture extending completely through the distribution frame and the air inlet aperture being located 90° from each fuel inlet aperture and 180° from an air and water outlet aperture, the air and water outlet aperture extending completely through the distribution frame, the air inlet aperture and the air and water outlet aperture each further having an interior side; (d) a plurality of fuel supply channels, the fuel supply channels located on the anode side of the distribution frame and extending from the interior side of each fuel inlet aperture to the central cavity and being integral to each fuel inlet aperture; (e) a plurality of air supply channels, the air supply channels located on the cathode side of the distribution frame and the air supply channels extending from the interior side of the air inlet aperture to the central cavity and being integral to the air inlet aperture; and (f) a plurality of air and water outlet channels, the air and water outlet channels located on the cathode side of the distribution frame, the air and water outlet channels extending from the interior side of the air and water outlet aperture to the central cavity, and being integral to the air and water outlet aperture.
- 2. The distribution frame for a fuel cell assembly according to claim 1 wherein the distribution frame is substantially circular.
- 3. The distribution frame for a fuel cell assembly according to claim 1 wherein the distribution frame is made from a nonconductive thermoplastic resin.
- 4. The distribution frame for a fuel cell assembly according to claim 1 wherein the distribution frame is made substantially from polypropylene.
- 5. The distribution frame for a fuel cell assembly according to claim 1 wherein the distribution frame is constructed from one or more of the following materials: nylon 6,6, derivatives of nylon 6,6, polyetheretherketone, styrene, mylar, textar, or kevlar.
- 6. The distribution frame for a fuel cell assembly according to claim 1 wherein the number of fuel supply channels balances the number of air supply channels so as to achieve an air to fuel stoichometric mixture of between 2.0 to 1.0 to 2.4 to 1.0.
- 7. The distribution frame for a fuel cell assembly according to claim 1 wherein the air inlet aperture has a rounded shape.
- 8. The distribution frame for a fuel cell assembly according to claim 1 wherein the fuel inlet apertures have a rounded shape.
RELATED REFERENCES
[0001] This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/669,344, filed Sep. 26, 2000.
Divisions (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09669344 |
Sep 2000 |
US |
Child |
10267310 |
Oct 2002 |
US |