The present disclosure provides a fuel cell comprising at least one fuel cell board (200), (400). Each fuel cell board (200), (400) comprises a Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) (113) comprising at least one ion permeable membrane, at least one anode, and at least one cathode, wherein each or all anodes are arranged on a first surface of the ion permeable membrane and each or all cathodes are arranged on a second surface of the ion permeable membrane. Each fuel cell board (200), (400) also comprises a first printed circuit board (PCB) layer (101), (401) comprising at least one first fluid path. Each fuel cell board also comprises a second PCB layer comprising (102), (402) at least one second fluid path. The MEA (113) is located between the first PCB layer (101), (401) and the second PCB layer (102), (402) so that the at least one first fluid path is arranged adjacent to each or all of the cathodes such that an oxidisable fluid flows to each or all of the cathodes of the at least one fuel cell board (200), (400) and so that the at least one second fluid path is arranged adjacent to each or all of the anodes such that a reducible fluid flows to the each or all of the anodes of the at least one fuel cell board (200), (400). The MEA (113), the first PCB layer (101). (401) and the second PCB layer (102), (402) are laminated together to form the fuel cell board (200), (400).

A printed circuit board transmits the collected current and voltage signals of different regions in a membrane electrode assembly inside the fuel cell to PCB connectors, and transmits the current and voltage signals to a data collection module by means of mating of a male of the connector, a female and a male of the standard harness. The current and voltage signals of the PCB connectors are identified, and a local current density of the fuel cell represented by each signal is positioned according to the position matching relationship, so that the current density distribution in the entire membrane electrode assembly of the fuel cell is finally obtained. According to the scheme, stable and reliable transmission of current and voltage signals of different regions on the membrane electrode assembly inside the fuel cell to the data collection system is realized.

An electrical contact device for the diversion of electrical current from a fuel cell stack can have a plurality of electrically conductive contact regions which are delineated from each other. A plurality of electrically conductive first contact structures connects each, or a plurality of, the contact region(s) to an external load current circuit. Via at least one switching element arranged in a first contact structure, an electrically conductive connection may be disconnected by the first contact structure, in particular between at least one contact region and a load current circuit. In this way it is possible to adjust the overall resistance of the contact structure, and thus the Joule heat produced in the contact regions. Second contact structures that are arranged between the contact regions enable a further increased variability of the overall electrical resistance of the contact device.

A loading-unloading assist system includes a holder that holds a plurality of single cells such that the single cells are detachable from the holder, and a lifting device that moves the holder up and down. The holder holds the plurality of single cells in a state where the single cells are arrayed in a straight line at predetermined intervals.

Embodiment of a system for generating electric power with micro fuel cells comprising at least one first micro cell and at least one second micro cell, each micro cell having an anode and a cathode with a membrane being sandwich-wise interposed, the system comprising a spacer element having an annular element that surrounds a cavity, said spacer element being associated with said anode of said first micro cell and with said anode of said second micro cell to realize a common diffusion chamber for the fuel of said first micro cell a of said second micro cell.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to galvanically isolating one or more sensors from a controller. Power and control signals are provided to an isolation system via RF electromagnetic waves transmitted from the controller to the isolation system via a dielectric waveguide. The received RF electromagnetic waves are converted into an RF electrical signal and then the RF electrical signal is separated into power and control signal components. The RF power signal component is rectified and regulated so as to provide power to the isolation system. A sensor interrogator is electrically connected to one or more sensors so as to receive sense signals therefrom. The sensor interrogator generates a data signal indicative of one or more physical metrics of a potentially hazardous environment in which the one or more sensors are situated. The data signal is converted to RF electromagnetic waves, which are transmitted, via the dielectric waveguide, to the controller.

A fuel cell includes a plurality of bipolar plates having a plurality of contacting surfaces and a conductive rubber element having a plurality of electrically conductive regions alternating successively with a plurality of electrically insulating regions. The conductive rubber element is arranged at an angle to an orthogonal of the contacting surfaces of the bipolar plates, wherein B3.5.Math.p.Math.cos()b.Math.sin() is satisfied. B is a width of one of the contacting surfaces on one of the bipolar plates, b is a width of the electrically conductive regions and electrically insulating regions of the conductive rubber element, and p is a grid pitch of the conductive rubber element.

An electrical connection system for cell voltage monitoring in a fuel cell stack. A fuel cell stack assembly comprises a plurality of fuel cells disposed in a stacked configuration, each cell substantially parallel to an x-y plane and including an electrical tab extending laterally from an edge of a plate in the cell in the x-direction to form an array of tabs extending along a side face of the fuel cell stack in a z-direction orthogonal to the x-y plane. A connector device comprises a planar member having a plurality of spaced-apart slits formed in an edge of the planar member, each slit having an electrically conductive material on an inside face of the slit. The slits are spaced along the edge of the planar member and configured to receive the tabs by sliding engagement in the y-direction. Alternatively, each tab may be crimped to create a distortion in the tab out of the x-y plane of the plate and a connector device comprises a planar member having a plurality of generally parallel slits formed in the body of the planar member, each slit having an electrically conductive material on an inside face of the slit, the slits being spaced within the planar member and configured to receive the tabs by sliding engagement in the x-direction so that each tab engages with at least a portion of the electrically conductive material on the inside face of a respective slit.

A system and method for processing the electric signals from a plurality of fuel cells in a fuel cell system is disclosed. Groups of the plurality of fuel cells, such as five bipolar plates, are electrically coupled to a conductive compressible connector or a circuit board, where some of the bipolar plates have a plate contactor for providing the electrical contact to either the conductive compressible connector or the circuit board. The system allows for the processing of the electric signals of every cell using fewer electrical components, thereby reducing the amount of space required and the costs associated therewith.

An electrical connection system for cell voltage monitoring in a fuel cell stack. A fuel cell stack assembly comprises a plurality of fuel cells disposed in a stacked configuration, each cell substantially parallel to an x-y plane and including an electrical tab extending laterally from an edge of a plate in the cell in the x-direction to form an array of tabs extending along a side face of the fuel cell stack in a z-direction orthogonal to the x-y plane. A connector device comprises a planar member having a plurality of spaced-apart slits formed in an edge of the planar member, each slit having an electrically conductive material on an inside face of the slit. The slits are spaced along the edge of the planar member and configured to receive the tabs by sliding engagement in the y-direction. Alternatively, each tab may be crimped to create a distortion in the tab out of the x-y plane of the plate and a connector device comprises a planar member having a plurality of generally parallel slits formed in the body of the planar member, each slit having an electrically conductive material on an inside face of the slit, the slits being spaced within the planar member and configured to receive the tabs by sliding engagement in the x-direction so that each tab engages with at least a portion of the electrically conductive material on the inside face of a respective slit.