Fuel cell

Abstract

A fuel cell includes: an electrolyte membrane; first and second catalyst layers respectively formed on first and second surfaces of the electrolyte membrane; and a separator, the first catalyst layer being arranged between the separator and the electrolyte membrane, wherein the separator includes first and second grooves through which reactant gas flows between the first catalyst layer and the separator.

1 . A fuel cell comprising:
 an electrolyte membrane;   first and second catalyst layers respectively formed on first and second surfaces of the electrolyte membrane; and   a separator, the first catalyst layer being arranged between the separator and the electrolyte membrane,   wherein   the separator includes first and second grooves through which reactant gas flows between the first catalyst layer and the separator,   each of the first and second grooves includes:
 a wavy portion wavily extending in a first direction; 
 a linear portion linearly extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and located away from the wavy portion in the first direction; and 
 a connecting portion connecting the wavy portion and the linear portion, 
   the connecting portions of the first and second grooves respectively include first and second parts, and   the first and second parts linearly extend from the wavy portion to the linear portion in respective directions that are substantially identical to the first direction or are between the first and second directions.   
     
     
         2 . The fuel cell of  claim 1 , wherein an angle between the first part and the wavy portion of the first groove, at a connection point between the connecting portion of the first groove and the wavy portion of the first groove, is identical to an angle between the second part and the wavy portion of the second groove, at a connection point between the connecting portion of the second groove and the wavy portion of the second groove. 
     
     
         3 . The fuel cell of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion of the first groove extends in a tangential direction of the wavy portion of the first groove at a connection point between the connecting portion of the first groove and the wavy portion of the first groove. 
     
     
         4 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The fuel cell of  claim 1 , wherein the linear portion of the first groove and the linear portion of the second groove are commonly used. 
     
     
         7 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The fuel cell of  claim 1 , wherein the wavy portion of at least one of the first and second grooves includes a wavy shape having a constant wavelength and constant amplitude, and extending with a length greater than a length of one period. 
     
     
         12 . The fuel cell of  claim 1 , wherein the wavy portions of the first and second grooves have identical wavelength, identical amplitude, and identical phase, and are adjacent to each other.