The invention relates to a fuel cell (2) comprising at least one membrane/electrode unit (10) comprising a first electrode (21) and a second electrode (22), which electrodes are separated from one another by a membrane (18), and comprising at least one bipolar plate (40) which comprises a first distribution region (50) for distributing a fuel to the first electrode (21) and a second distribution region (60) for distributing an oxidation agent to the second electrode (22). A distribution unit (30) is provided in at least one of the distribution regions (50, 60) and has at least one flat woven fabric (80), wherein the flat woven fabric (80) is deformed in such a way that raised portions (32) of the woven fabric (80) touch one of the electrodes (21, 22).

A metal-supported, SOEC or SOFC fuel cell unit (10) comprising a separator plate (12) and metal support plate (14) with chemistry layers (50) overlie one another to form a repeat unit, at least one plate having flanged perimeter features (18) formed by pressing the plate, the plates being directly adjoined at the flanged perimeter features to form a fluid volume (20) between them and each having at least one fluid port (22), wherein the ports are aligned and communicate with the fluid volume, and at least one of the plates has pressed shaped port features (24) formed around its port extending towards the other plate and including elements spaced from one another to define fluid pathways to enable passage of fluid from the port to the fluid volume. Raised members (120) may receive a gasket (34), act as a hard stop or act as a seal bearing surface.

A metal-supported, SOEC or SOFC fuel cell unit (10) comprising a separator plate (12) and metal support plate (14) with chemistry layers (50) overlie one another to form a repeat unit, at least one plate having flanged perimeter features (18) formed by pressing the plate, the plates being directly adjoined at the flanged perimeter features to form a fluid volume (20) between them and each having at least one fluid port (22), wherein the ports are aligned and communicate with the fluid volume, and at least one of the plates has pressed shaped port features (24) formed around its port extending towards the other plate and including elements spaced from one another to define fluid pathways to enable passage of fluid from the port to the fluid volume. Raised members (120) may receive a gasket (34), act as a hard stop or act as a seal bearing surface.

A method of manufacturing a fuel cell separator, includes: stacking a first separator plate and a second separator plate having first and second protruding portions so that the first and second protruding portions protrude in a direction away from the first separator plate, the first and second protruding portions being adjacent to both sides of a first junction portion to be joined to the first separator plate; pressing the first and second protruding portions toward the first separator plate so that the first junction portion is pressed against the first separator plate; and joining the first junction portion to the first separator plate while the first junction portion is being pressed against the first separator plate, wherein in the pressing, the first junction portion is pressed against the first separator plate by elastic deformation of a first bent portion bent between the first junction portion and the first protruding portion.

A method of manufacturing a fuel cell separator, includes: stacking a first separator plate and a second separator plate having first and second protruding portions so that the first and second protruding portions protrude in a direction away from the first separator plate, the first and second protruding portions being adjacent to both sides of a first junction portion to be joined to the first separator plate; pressing the first and second protruding portions toward the first separator plate so that the first junction portion is pressed against the first separator plate; and joining the first junction portion to the first separator plate while the first junction portion is being pressed against the first separator plate, wherein in the pressing, the first junction portion is pressed against the first separator plate by elastic deformation of a first bent portion bent between the first junction portion and the first protruding portion.

A method for inspecting a metal separator includes a step of detecting deflection of the metal separator with a height detector, a step of displacing the metal separator or an imaging device in a height direction according to the deflection of the metal separator to keep a distance between the imaging device and an imaging portion of the metal separator constant, and a step of imaging a weld portion with the imaging device.

A fuel cell module includes a stack including a plurality of fuel cells stacked together, at least one dummy cell in contact with the stack at an end portion of the stack in a stacking direction, a reactant gas supply path configured to supply a reactant gas that is either a fuel gas or an oxidant gas to the fuel cells and the dummy cell, and a reactant gas discharge path in communication with the fuel cells and the dummy cell. The fuel cells and the dummy cell each include a reactant gas flow path configured to cause the reactant gas from the reactant gas supply path to flow toward the reactant gas discharge path. Pressure loss of the reactant gas flow path of the dummy cell is smaller than pressure loss of the reactant gas flow path of the fuel cells.

A fuel cell module includes a stack including a plurality of fuel cells stacked together, at least one dummy cell in contact with the stack at an end portion of the stack in a stacking direction, a reactant gas supply path configured to supply a reactant gas that is either a fuel gas or an oxidant gas to the fuel cells and the dummy cell, and a reactant gas discharge path in communication with the fuel cells and the dummy cell. The fuel cells and the dummy cell each include a reactant gas flow path configured to cause the reactant gas from the reactant gas supply path to flow toward the reactant gas discharge path. Pressure loss of the reactant gas flow path of the dummy cell is smaller than pressure loss of the reactant gas flow path of the fuel cells.

Equipment for manufacturing a separator plate for a fuel cell comprises: a press which receives a conveyed first metal strip and second metal strip, vertically arranges the metal strips side by side, and forms patterns on each of the first metal strip and the second metal strip; a welding machine which overlaps the first metal strip and the second metal strip conveyed from the press, and integrally joins the metal strips by welding same in a state in which the patterns are aligned face-to-face with each other; and guide rolls which are arranged in front of and behind the press and guide the first metal strip so that the first metal strip is supplied to the welding machine at an overlapping position with the second metal strip after passing through the press at a position spaced vertically apart from the second metal strip.

A fuel cell system includes a first fluid flow plate including a first plurality of first channels for flow of an oxidant or a fuel. The plurality of first channel has first channel cross-sectional flow areas. A second fluid flow plate includes a second plurality of second channels for flow of an oxidant or a fuel. The plurality of second channels has second channel cross-sectional flow areas. A membrane electrode assembly is located between the first plate and the second plate. The first flow plate includes a passage for a flow of a fluid entirely on a seam side of the first flow plate as the first plurality of first channels. The passage has a cross-sectional area for flow of the fluid smaller than the first channel cross-sectional flow area.