A fuel cell system is provided with a fuel cell stack assembly which includes a plurality of fuel cells which convert chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction with an oxidizing agent, the plurality of fuel cells being stacked together in electrical series; a base member upon which the plurality of fuel cells are stacked such that the base member is in electrical communication with the plurality of fuel cells; an attachment member fixed to the base member, the attachment member being maintained at electrical ground; and a dielectric barrier which electrically isolates the base member from the attachment member.

The invention relates to a fuel cell stack assembly (100) and an associated method of assembling the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack assembly (100) comprises a plurality of fuel cell assemblies (102) adjacent to one another, a first end plate (104) at a first end (106) of the plurality of fuel cell assemblies, a second end plate (108) at a second opposing end (110) of the plurality of fuel cell assemblies and a tie rod (112) configured to engage the first and second end plates (104, 108) and thereby apply a compression force to the plurality of fuel cell assemblies (102). The tie rod (112) is a unitary component that comprises a first engagement surface (114) that engages with the first end plate (104) and a second engagement surface (116) that engages with the second end plate (108).

The invention relates to a fuel cell stack assembly (100) and an associated method of assembling the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack assembly (100) comprises a plurality of fuel cell assemblies (102) adjacent to one another, a first end plate (104) at a first end (106) of the plurality of fuel cell assemblies, a second end plate (108) at a second opposing end (110) of the plurality of fuel cell assemblies and a tie rod (112) configured to engage the first and second end plates (104, 108) and thereby apply a compression force to the plurality of fuel cell assemblies (102). The tie rod (112) is a unitary component that comprises a first engagement surface (114) that engages with the first end plate (104) and a second engagement surface (116) that engages with the second end plate (108).

The present invention relates to a fuel cell with a gap for transport flow of an electrolyte containing charge carrying ions from either a fuel or an oxidizer between anode and a cathode.

The present invention relates to a fuel cell with a gap for transport flow of an electrolyte containing charge carrying ions from either a fuel or an oxidizer between anode and a cathode.

An electrochemical system includes an electrochemical compressor through which a working fluid that includes a component that primarily acts as an electrochemically-active component flows; a sealed vessel in which the electrochemical compressor is housed; an inlet conduit for passing working fluid into the vessel; and an outlet conduit for passing fluid out of the vessel. The working fluid that leaks from the electrochemical compressor is contained within the vessel.

An electrochemical system includes an electrochemical compressor through which a working fluid that includes a component that primarily acts as an electrochemically-active component flows; a sealed vessel in which the electrochemical compressor is housed; an inlet conduit for passing working fluid into the vessel; and an outlet conduit for passing fluid out of the vessel. The working fluid that leaks from the electrochemical compressor is contained within the vessel.

A fluid detection system and method for a fuel cell power plant is disclosed having a pressure sensor (61, 161) positioned in a fuel cell stack assembly (10) to measure pressure of fluid/liquid in a fluid/liquid flow path (40, 42, 44) therein and to provide a pressure-based signal (90, 63). The pressure-based signal (90, 63) is used to control a liquid management arrangement (53) at least during start-up and shut-down of the cell stack assembly (10) to regulate water level. The liquid management arrangement (53) may include means (50, 51) for controllably applying and releasing a vacuum to a water manifold (44, 54; 100) of the cell stack assembly (10) to regulate water flow and level therein. The pressure-based control of water level may extend across the entire operating range of the cell stack assembly (10), or may be complemented during steady state operation by voltage-based sensors (66, 166).

A fluid detection system and method for a fuel cell power plant is disclosed having a pressure sensor (61, 161) positioned in a fuel cell stack assembly (10) to measure pressure of fluid/liquid in a fluid/liquid flow path (40, 42, 44) therein and to provide a pressure-based signal (90, 63). The pressure-based signal (90, 63) is used to control a liquid management arrangement (53) at least during start-up and shut-down of the cell stack assembly (10) to regulate water level. The liquid management arrangement (53) may include means (50, 51) for controllably applying and releasing a vacuum to a water manifold (44, 54; 100) of the cell stack assembly (10) to regulate water flow and level therein. The pressure-based control of water level may extend across the entire operating range of the cell stack assembly (10), or may be complemented during steady state operation by voltage-based sensors (66, 166).

A fuel cell unit with a plurality of fuel cells defining a longitudinal axis and a main flow direction coaxial to the longitudinal axis. Fuel cell inlets and fuel cell outlets are arranged at opposite ends of the fuel cell unit and in line with the main flow direction. Also, a component comprising first fluid conduits arranged parallel to the main flow direction, the first fluid conduits comprising first fluid inlets and first fluid outlets arranged at opposite ends of the component and in line with the main flow direction. The component is arranged adjacent the fuel cell unit such that at least one of the first fluid inlets and the first fluid outlets of the component are arranged adjacent at least one of the fuel cell outlets and the fuel cell inlets such that a fluid flow may flow substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus in the first fluid conduits of the component and in the fuel cell unit and when passing from the component to the fuel cell unit or vice versa.