An electrochemical hydrogen pump includes an electrolyte membrane, an anode catalyst layer, a cathode catalyst layer, an anode gas diffusion layer, a cathode gas diffusion layer, an anode separator, a cathode separator, a first end plate and a second end plate that are disposed on the respective ends of at least one hydrogen pump unit in which the electrolyte membrane, the catalyst layers, the gas diffusion layers, and the separators are stacked on each other, a fastener that fastens the end plates and at least one hydrogen pump unit, and a voltage applier. The electrochemical hydrogen pump transfers hydrogen from the anode catalyst layer to the cathode catalyst layer and pressurizes hydrogen when the voltage applier applies the voltage. The cathode gas diffusion layer includes a water-repellent carbon fiber layer in a main surface thereof that is on a side of the cathode catalyst layer, and is compressed by the fastener.

A fuel cell stack has a plurality of fuel cells arranged in a row, each of them comprising a membrane separating the electrodes, with ports for the respective supply and drainage of a fuel and an oxidizer and with a tensioning device for pressing the fuel cells together, wherein the tensioning device is formed by a band and spring system having an integrated force transducer, the signal of which can be relayed to a controller for determining the moisture content based on the moisture-dependent swelling behavior of the membrane of each fuel cell. A fuel cell device with such a fuel cell stack as well as a motor vehicle having such a fuel cell device are also provided.

A fuel cell stack has a plurality of fuel cells arranged in a row, each of them comprising a membrane separating the electrodes, with ports for the respective supply and drainage of a fuel and an oxidizer and with a tensioning device for pressing the fuel cells together, wherein the tensioning device is formed by a band and spring system having an integrated force transducer, the signal of which can be relayed to a controller for determining the moisture content based on the moisture-dependent swelling behavior of the membrane of each fuel cell. A fuel cell device with such a fuel cell stack as well as a motor vehicle having such a fuel cell device are also provided.

A system and method for cooling and humidifying a cathode subsystem of a fuel cell for an automobile. The system includes a compressor, an air input line including an intercooler configured to cool air output by the compressor, a fluid output line including a fluid injection system, a cathode stack configured to receive air via the air input line and output a fluid to the fluid output line, and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to control the fluid injection system such that the fluid output from the cathode stack is injected into the air input line.

A system and method for cooling and humidifying a cathode subsystem of a fuel cell for an automobile. The system includes a compressor, an air input line including an intercooler configured to cool air output by the compressor, a fluid output line including a fluid injection system, a cathode stack configured to receive air via the air input line and output a fluid to the fluid output line, and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to control the fluid injection system such that the fluid output from the cathode stack is injected into the air input line.

An electrode assembly for a flow battery is disclosed comprising a porous electrode material, a frame surrounding the porous electrode material, at least a distributor tube embedded in the porous electrode material having an inlet for supplying electrolyte to the porous electrode material and at least another distributor tube embedded in the porous electrode material having an outlet for discharging electrolyte out of the porous material. The walls of the distributor tubes are preferably provided with holes or pores for allowing a uniform distribution of the electrolyte within the electrode material. The distributor tubes provide the required electrolyte flow path length within the electrode material to minimize shunt current flowing between the flow cells in the battery stack.

An electrode assembly for a flow battery is disclosed comprising a porous electrode material, a frame surrounding the porous electrode material, at least a distributor tube embedded in the porous electrode material having an inlet for supplying electrolyte to the porous electrode material and at least another distributor tube embedded in the porous electrode material having an outlet for discharging electrolyte out of the porous material. The walls of the distributor tubes are preferably provided with holes or pores for allowing a uniform distribution of the electrolyte within the electrode material. The distributor tubes provide the required electrolyte flow path length within the electrode material to minimize shunt current flowing between the flow cells in the battery stack.

Provided are assemblies, comprising: a first leaf spring; a second leaf spring; and at least one component; the first leaf spring and the second leaf spring being superposed over a first end of the at least one component so as to exert first and second forces, respectively, through first and second regions of the component. These assemblies are useful to apply different forces to a stacked assembly where a cross section of a component of the assembly comprises materials of different Young's moduli within that cross section, thereby compressing different regions of the component with different forces.

Provided are assemblies, comprising: a first leaf spring; a second leaf spring; and at least one component; the first leaf spring and the second leaf spring being superposed over a first end of the at least one component so as to exert first and second forces, respectively, through first and second regions of the component. These assemblies are useful to apply different forces to a stacked assembly where a cross section of a component of the assembly comprises materials of different Young's moduli within that cross section, thereby compressing different regions of the component with different forces.

A fuel cell including: a fuel cell stack; a pair of end plates holding the fuel cell stack by tightening from both ends; and a plurality of gas manifolds fixed to the fuel cell stack and end plates with the sealing members therebetween to supply fuel and oxidant to each of fuel gas flow paths and oxidant gas flow paths of the fuel cell stack, the fuel cell includes: a gas manifold fixing band including: hold plates installed in contact with a back of the gas manifold; a hold plate connecting part connecting the hold plates installed on the backs of adjacent gas manifolds; and a band-tightening part connecting and tightening both ends of a series of hold plates and the hold plate connecting part.