An illustrative example fuel cell component includes a plate with a plurality of flow channels in at least one side of the plate. Each of the flow channels has a length between an inlet and an outlet. Each of the flow channels has a width and a depth, which are transverse to the length. At least some of the flow channels include a portion near the inlet and the width or the depth of the portion is greater than the width or depth along a majority of the length of those flow channels.

An illustrative example fuel cell component includes a plate with a plurality of flow channels in at least one side of the plate. Each of the flow channels has a length between an inlet and an outlet. Each of the flow channels has a width and a depth, which are transverse to the length. At least some of the flow channels include a portion near the inlet and the width or the depth of the portion is greater than the width or depth along a majority of the length of those flow channels.

A bipolar conductive plate for a fuel cell structure, the plate having a network of fluid circulation channels in the form of a succession of undulations with narrowed portions preferably distributed regularly in order to reduce the stratification phenomena.

A bipolar conductive plate for a fuel cell structure, the plate having a network of fluid circulation channels in the form of a succession of undulations with narrowed portions preferably distributed regularly in order to reduce the stratification phenomena.

A separator plate for an electrochemical system, comprising: at least one of the flanks of the bead assembly has a multiplicity of passages for directing a medium through the bead flank, and a distributing or collecting structure has a multiplicity of line ducts and a multiplicity of openings, wherein the line ducts adjoin the passages in the bead flank on an external side of the bead assembly, wherein the openings are disposed on a side of the distributing or collecting structure that faces away from the bead assembly and, are fluidically connected to a bead interior.

A bipolar plate for a fuel cell is provided having an active region and a marginal region surrounding the active region, and having a first media guide having a first passage and a second media guide having a second passage, and having a media duct extending through the active region and fluidically connecting the first passage to the second passage, wherein the first passage and/or the second passage is associated with a diaphragm, which is adjustable by an actuator to establish or to regulate the flow cross section of the first passage and/or of the second passage. A fuel cell stack having a fuel cell with such a bipolar plate is also provided.

A bipolar plate for a fuel cell is provided having an active region and a marginal region surrounding the active region, and having a first media guide having a first passage and a second media guide having a second passage, and having a media duct extending through the active region and fluidically connecting the first passage to the second passage, wherein the first passage and/or the second passage is associated with a diaphragm, which is adjustable by an actuator to establish or to regulate the flow cross section of the first passage and/or of the second passage. A fuel cell stack having a fuel cell with such a bipolar plate is also provided.

The present technology relates to apparatus and methods for providing contact pressure distribution between fuel cell components in a fuel cell stack. In some embodiments, the technology relates to fuel cell flow field plate designs and to compression systems for fuel cell stacks that can be used, separately or in combination, to provide more uniform contact pressure distribution across the active area of fuel cells in a fuel cell stack.

The present technology relates to apparatus and methods for providing contact pressure distribution between fuel cell components in a fuel cell stack. In some embodiments, the technology relates to fuel cell flow field plate designs and to compression systems for fuel cell stacks that can be used, separately or in combination, to provide more uniform contact pressure distribution across the active area of fuel cells in a fuel cell stack.

A fuel cell stack includes stacked cells, each including a sheet-shaped power generation portion, two separators, a gas passage defining plate that includes a gas passage portion through which reactant gas flows, and a frame member that includes a supply port and a discharge port. The gas passage portion includes opposing portions extended in a flow direction of the reactant gas and arranged in parallel in an orthogonal direction. A main passage is defined between each opposing portion and the power generation portion. The gas passage portion includes a first passage portion adjacent to the supply port in the flow direction and a second passage portion adjacent to the first passage portion in the orthogonal direction. The main passages of the second passage portion each have a larger cross-sectional flow area than the main passages of the first passage portion.