Bipolar plate having integrated gas-permeable membrane

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a novel anode plate forming an anode chamber of a fuel cell. The anode plate includes an anode fuel flow field, a substantially gas permeable membrane, and a channel coupled to an outlet positioned immediately adjacent said membrane. The channel directs gaseous effluents produced in the anode chamber out of the fuel cell via the outlet. This novel anode plate may be used in a single fuel cell, electrically and mechanically coupled to a cathode plate in a multi-fuel cell arrangement, or combined with a cathode plate producing a bi-polar plate for a fuel cell stack. Alternatively, the features of the anode plate and cathode plate may be integrated into a single component, thus improving performance and limiting the size of a stack and system implementing said stack.

1 . A bi-polar plate for a fuel cell stack, wherein said fuel cell stack contains at least two individual fuel cells, said plate comprising: 
 an anode portion in a first fuel cell, said anode portion including a fuel flow field, a gas permeable membrane positioned away from an anode aspect of a membrane electrolyte of said first fuel cell and a gaseous effluent vent channel positioned adjacent said gas permeable membrane, wherein said vent channel communicates gaseous effluent from said anode aspect of said membrane electrolyte via an outlet.    a cathode portion in a second fuel cell, and having a flow field by which oxygen is introduced to the cathode portion of the fuel cell.    
     
     
         2 - 33 . (canceled)