Flow field plate arrangement

Abstract From the Canadian patent

The conventional arrangement of the reactant and coolant flow field structures causes a number of problems that require flow field plates to be made relatively thick. However, by making flow field plates thicker size and , weight are added to an electrochemical cell stack that is difficult to reduce. Yet, thin plates of conventional design are susceptible to cracking and/or rupturing. By contrast, according to some embodiments of the invention there is provided a cooperative arrangement of reactant flow field channels and ribs with coolant flow field channels and ribs that may reduce stress on individual flow field plates, thereby possibly permitting thinner flow field plates. More …