公开(公告)号：US20080187803A1

公开(公告)日：2008-08-07

申请号：US11671379

申请日：2007-02-05

Applicant: Prem Menon ,  John J. Conley ,  David A. Masten ,  Bruce J. Clingerman

Inventor： Prem Menon ,  John J. Conley ,  David A. Masten ,  Bruce J. Clingerman

IPC: H01M8/04

CPC classification number: H01M8/04029 ,  H01M8/04014 ,  H01M8/04141 ,  H01M8/04156 ,  H01M8/0435 ,  H01M8/04358 ,  H01M8/04731 ,  H01M8/04761 ,  H01M8/04768 ,  H01M8/04776 ,  Y02E60/50

Abstract: A fuel cell system that employs one or more wax elements to provide passive control. In one embodiment, a wax element device is positioned within a coolant stream pipe. The wax element device includes a wax element positioned within a container. An electrically conductive rod is positioned within the wax element and extends out of the pipe. As the wax element expands and contracts in response to temperature changes in the cooling fluid, the rod moves up and down to make various electrical contacts and control the various devices, such a coolant pump and a coolant fan. In another embodiment, the rod extends into a cathode exhaust pipe of the fuel cell system, and is coupled to a back-pressure valve therein. As the temperature of the cooling fluid changes, the wax element expands and contracts to control the position of the back-pressure valve.

Abstract translation: 一种燃料电池系统，其采用一个或多个蜡元件来提供被动控制。 在一个实施例中，蜡元件装置位于冷却剂流管内。 蜡元件装置包括位于容器内的蜡元件。 导电杆定位在蜡元件内并延伸出管道。 当蜡元件响应于冷却流体的温度变化而膨胀和收缩时，杆上下移动以形成各种电接触并控制各种装置，例如冷却剂泵和冷却剂风扇。 在另一个实施例中，杆延伸到燃料电池系统的阴极排气管中，并连接到其中的背压阀。 当冷却液的温度变化时，蜡元件膨胀并收缩以控制背压阀的位置。

公开(公告)号：US20070184315A1

公开(公告)日：2007-08-09

申请号：US11351123

申请日：2006-02-09

Applicant: Sean Kelly ,  John MacBain ,  John Absmeier

Inventor： Sean Kelly ,  John MacBain ,  John Absmeier

IPC: H01M8/04 ,  H01M8/24

CPC classification number: H01M8/249 ,  H01M8/04089 ,  H01M8/04343 ,  H01M8/0435 ,  H01M8/04388 ,  H01M8/04395 ,  H01M8/04731 ,  H01M8/04753 ,  H01M8/0488 ,  H01M8/0491

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprising a plurality of fuel cell stacks. The stacks may be connected electrically in any sequence desired, such as in series, in parallel, or in combinations thereof or electrically independent. The electrical performance of each stack is optimized by some metric or the operating temperature of the stack is controlled by controlling the internal operating temperature of the stack, which in turn is controlled by controlling the output voltage, output current, or load of each stack independently of the other stacks. In large fuel cell systems having a large plurality of stacks, adjacent stacks may of necessity be grouped as stack pairs with joint electrical control rather than individual control, but at some sacrifice in optimal operation.

Abstract translation: 一种包括多个燃料电池堆的燃料电池系统。 堆叠可以以任何期望的顺序电连接，例如串联，并联或其组合或电独立地连接。 每个堆叠的电气性能通过一些度量进行优化，或者通过控制堆叠的内部工作温度来控制堆叠的工作温度，而这又通过独立地控制每个堆叠的输出电压，输出电流或负载来控制 的其他堆栈。 在具有大量堆叠的大型燃料电池系统中，相邻叠层可能必须被分组为具有联合电控制而不是单独控制的堆叠对，而是在最佳操作中牺牲一些。

公开(公告)号：US20070141418A1

公开(公告)日：2007-06-21

申请号：US10589434

申请日：2005-03-15

Applicant: Masataka Ota ,  Mikio Kizaki

Inventor： Masataka Ota ,  Mikio Kizaki

IPC: H01M8/04

CPC classification number: H01M8/04955 ,  H01M8/04074 ,  H01M8/04253 ,  H01M8/04328 ,  H01M8/04335 ,  H01M8/04343 ,  H01M8/0435 ,  H01M8/04358 ,  H01M8/04373 ,  H01M8/04388 ,  H01M8/04402 ,  H01M8/04619 ,  H01M8/04664 ,  H01M8/04753 ,  H01M8/04761 ,  H01M8/04768 ,  H01M8/04947

Abstract: In order to reliably avoid freezing in the generation stop state during intermittent operation, in the control device of the present invention that controls a fuel cell system to operate intermittently by switching between the generation state and the generation stop state of a fuel cell, it is determined whether to stop the generation operation during intermittent operation based on at least the temperature of a specific component that contains moisture from among the components constituting the fuel cell system. A valve, a passage, or a humidifier arranged on a flow path for a fuel gas or oxidizing gas may be selected as the specific component mentioned above. The temperature of the specific component is measured either directly by a temperature sensor provided corresponding to the specific component or indirectly based on either the operating state of the fuel cell system or the external air temperature.

Abstract translation: 为了在间歇运转时可靠地避免发电停止状态下的冻结，在通过在燃料电池的发电状态和发电停止状态之间切换来控制燃料电池系统间歇地操作的本发明的控制装置中， 基于构成燃料电池系统的构成要素，至少基于含有水分的特定成分的温度来确定是否停止间歇运转时的发电运转。 可以选择布置在用于燃料气体或氧化气体的流动路径上的阀，通道或加湿器作为上述特定部件。 特定部件的温度直接由对应于特定部件的温度传感器或间接地基于燃料电池系统的运行状态或外部空气温度来测量。

公开(公告)号：US07189572B2

公开(公告)日：2007-03-13

申请号：US10151195

申请日：2002-05-20

Applicant: Tomonori Imamura ,  Toshiyuki Kawai ,  Kunio Okamoto

Inventor： Tomonori Imamura ,  Toshiyuki Kawai ,  Kunio Okamoto

IPC: G01N31/00

CPC classification number: H01M8/04089 ,  G01N27/048 ,  H01M8/04119 ,  H01M8/04291 ,  H01M8/0435 ,  H01M8/04365 ,  H01M8/04388 ,  H01M8/04395 ,  H01M8/0441 ,  H01M8/04455 ,  H01M8/0447 ,  H01M8/04507 ,  H01M8/04522 ,  H01M8/04529 ,  H01M8/04559 ,  H01M8/04589 ,  H01M8/04649 ,  H01M8/04708 ,  H01M8/04753 ,  H01M8/04835 ,  H01M8/04992

Abstract: A measuring method first calculates the conductivity of an electrolyte membrane based on measured output voltage and output current of a fuel cell. The water content of an oxidant channel as an index of present water content (PWC) of the fuel cell is calculated based on the calculated conductivity and the other measured physical quantities of the fuel cell. Further the method calculates the water content of the oxidant channel after the inside of the fuel cell reaches a steady state as an index of future water content (FWC) using the measured physical quantities. The PWC index and FWC index are compared, and it is finally determined, based on the result of the comparison and the difference between the previous and present values of the conductivity, whether the water content of the fuel cell is short or excessive at the present time.

Abstract translation: 测量方法首先基于测量的燃料电池的输出电压和输出电流来计算电解质膜的电导率。 基于所计算的电导率和燃料电池的其他测量物理量，计算作为燃料电池的当前含水量（PWC）的指标的氧化剂通道的水含量。 此外，该方法使用测量的物理量计算燃料电池内部达到稳定状态之后的氧化剂通道的含水量作为未来含水量（FWC）的指标。 比较PWC指数和FWC指数，最终根据比较结果和电导率的先前和现在值之间的差异，确定燃料电池的含水量是否短或过量 时间。

公开(公告)号：US20060263652A1

公开(公告)日：2006-11-23

申请号：US11130806

申请日：2005-05-17

Applicant: Victor Logan

Inventor： Victor Logan

IPC: H01M8/04

CPC classification number: H01M8/04164 ,  H01M8/04029 ,  H01M8/04335 ,  H01M8/0435 ,  H01M8/04358 ,  H01M8/04507 ,  H01M8/04708 ,  H01M8/04723 ,  H01M8/04835 ,  H01M2008/1095

Abstract: Operating strategy for a fuel cell system controls the hydration level of the membranes in the fuel cells and achieves a desired operational performance. The membrane hydration level is managed by controlling the relative humidity of the cathode gas flowing through the cathode flow path. Targeted relative humidity set points for the cathode gas entering and exiting the cathode flow path are established based on the water vapor in the cathode gas. Temperature set points for the cathode gas to achieve the targeted relative humidity are established. The coolant supply subsystem is operated to cause the required cathode gas temperatures to be achieved.

Abstract translation: 燃料电池系统的操作策略控制燃料电池中的膜的水化水平并达到期望的操作性能。 通过控制流过阴极流路的阴极气体的相对湿度来控制膜水合水平。 基于阴极气体中的水蒸气来建立进入和离开阴极流路的阴极气体的目标相对湿度设定点。 建立阴极气体达到目标相对湿度的温度设定点。 操作冷却剂供应子系统，以实现所需的阴极气体温度。

公开(公告)号：US07132179B2

公开(公告)日：2006-11-07

申请号：US10109982

申请日：2002-03-28

Applicant: Jean St-Pierre ,  NengYou Jia ,  Marian Van Der Geest ,  Abderrahmane Atbi ,  Herwig R. Haas

Inventor： Jean St-Pierre ,  NengYou Jia ,  Marian Van Der Geest ,  Abderrahmane Atbi ,  Herwig R. Haas

IPC: H01M8/04

CPC classification number: H01M8/04156 ,  H01M8/0258 ,  H01M8/0267 ,  H01M8/0271 ,  H01M8/04007 ,  H01M8/04089 ,  H01M8/04223 ,  H01M8/04303 ,  H01M8/04328 ,  H01M8/04335 ,  H01M8/04343 ,  H01M8/0435 ,  H01M8/04358 ,  H01M8/04388 ,  H01M8/04395 ,  H01M8/04507 ,  H01M8/04514 ,  H01M8/04559 ,  H01M8/04649 ,  H01M8/04828 ,  H01M8/04955 ,  H01M8/04992 ,  H01M8/1007 ,  H01M8/241 ,  H01M8/2465

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of ceasing operation of an electric power generating system improve the cold starting capability of the system. The system comprises a fuel cell stack connectable to an external circuit for supplying power to the external circuit. The stack comprises at least one solid polymer fuel cell, and the system further comprises a fuel passage for directing a fuel stream through the stack and an oxidant passage for directing an oxidant stream through the stack, a sensor assembly connected to the stack for monitoring a parameter indicative of stack performance, a controller for controlling at least one stack operating parameter, and a control system communicative with the sensor assembly and stack operating parameter controller. The method comprises adjusting at least one stack operating parameter to cause the stack to operate under a drying condition that causes a net outflux of water from the stack, operating the stack under the drying condition until the water content in the stack has been reduced, and interrupting supply of power from the stack to the external circuit.

公开(公告)号：US20050008909A1

公开(公告)日：2005-01-13

申请号：US10877771

申请日：2004-06-25

Applicant: Ian Kaye ,  Gerry Tucker

Inventor： Ian Kaye ,  Gerry Tucker

IPC: B01J19/00 ,  B01J19/24 ,  C01B3/24 ,  C01B3/38 ,  C08F4/636 ,  C08F4/649 ,  C08F4/651 ,  C08F4/654 ,  H01M20060101 ,  H01M8/04 ,  H01M8/06 ,  H01M8/10

CPC classification number: H01M8/04225 ,  B01J8/0214 ,  B01J8/0221 ,  B01J8/0242 ,  B01J8/0285 ,  B01J8/0438 ,  B01J8/0484 ,  B01J19/0093 ,  B01J19/249 ,  B01J2208/00061 ,  B01J2208/00309 ,  B01J2208/00398 ,  B01J2208/00407 ,  B01J2208/00415 ,  B01J2208/00504 ,  B01J2208/00646 ,  B01J2208/00716 ,  B01J2219/00783 ,  B01J2219/00835 ,  B01J2219/00873 ,  B01J2219/00907 ,  B01J2219/2453 ,  B01J2219/2458 ,  B01J2219/2459 ,  B01J2219/2462 ,  B01J2219/2465 ,  B01J2219/2467 ,  B01J2219/247 ,  B01J2219/2475 ,  B01J2219/2479 ,  B01J2219/2481 ,  B01J2219/2482 ,  C01B3/323 ,  C01B3/38 ,  C01B2203/0233 ,  C01B2203/0244 ,  C01B2203/0261 ,  C01B2203/066 ,  C01B2203/0805 ,  C01B2203/0811 ,  C01B2203/0822 ,  C01B2203/0827 ,  C01B2203/0844 ,  C01B2203/0866 ,  C01B2203/1223 ,  C01B2203/1247 ,  C01B2203/142 ,  C01B2203/82 ,  H01M8/0228 ,  H01M8/0247 ,  H01M8/0258 ,  H01M8/0267 ,  H01M8/04007 ,  H01M8/04022 ,  H01M8/04037 ,  H01M8/04067 ,  H01M8/04223 ,  H01M8/04268 ,  H01M8/04298 ,  H01M8/0435 ,  H01M8/04365 ,  H01M8/04373 ,  H01M8/04388 ,  H01M8/04425 ,  H01M8/04559 ,  H01M8/04589 ,  H01M8/04604 ,  H01M8/04619 ,  H01M8/04626 ,  H01M8/04731 ,  H01M8/04738 ,  H01M8/04753 ,  H01M8/04768 ,  H01M8/04776 ,  H01M8/04955 ,  H01M8/0618 ,  H01M8/0631 ,  H01M8/0662 ,  H01M2008/1095 ,  Y02P20/128 ,  Y02P70/56

Abstract: Described herein are fuel cell systems and methods of using fuel cell systems. The systems include a fuel cell that generates electrical energy using hydrogen and a fuel processor that produces hydrogen from a fuel source. The fuel processor includes a reformer and a burner that heats the reformer. One heat efficient fuel cell system described herein heats internal portions of a fuel cell using a heating medium from a fuel processor. The heating medium may comprise gases exhausted at high temperatures from the fuel processor, which are then transported to the fuel cell. The heating medium may also include a gas that reacts catalytically in the fuel cell to produce heat. Systems and methods for expediting fuel cell system start up are provided. Methods for shutting down a fuel cell system are also described that reduce the amount of moisture and gases in the reformer and in one or more fuel cell components. One hydrogen efficient fuel cell system described herein transports hydrogen to an inlet of a burner. The hydrogen may comprise unused hydrogen from a fuel cell and/or hydrogen produced in a reformer. The burner comprises a catalyst that facilitates production of heat in the presence of the hydrogen.

Abstract translation: 这里描述的是燃料电池系统和使用燃料电池系统的方法。 该系统包括使用氢气产生电能的燃料电池和从燃料源产生氢气的燃料处理器。 燃料处理器包括重整器和加热重整器的燃烧器。 本文所述的一种热效率燃料电池系统使用来自燃料处理器的加热介质加热燃料电池的内部部分。 加热介质可以包括在来自燃料处理器的高温下排出的气体，然后将其输送到燃料电池。 加热介质还可以包括在燃料电池中催化反应产生热量的气体。 提供了加快燃料电池系统启动的系统和方法。 还描述了关闭燃料电池系统的方法，其减少了重整器和一个或多个燃料电池部件中的水分和气体的量。 本文所述的一个氢效率高的燃料电池系统将氢输送到燃烧器的入口。 氢可以包括来自燃料电池的未使用的氢和/或在重整器中产生的氢。 燃烧器包括促进在氢存在下产生热的催化剂。

公开(公告)号：US20020146606A1

公开(公告)日：2002-10-10

申请号：US10117362

申请日：2002-04-05

Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha

Inventor： Tomoki Kobayashi ,  Yoshio Nuiya ,  Mitsuru Kai

IPC: H01M008/04

CPC classification number: H01M8/04268 ,  H01M8/04007 ,  H01M8/04335 ,  H01M8/0435 ,  H01M8/04358 ,  H01M8/04619 ,  H01M8/04708 ,  H01M8/04776

Abstract: A warm-up apparatus GS for a fuel cell 1, 51 comprising: a compressor 22, 71 for feeding supply gas A to the fuel cell 1, 51; a main passage W1, W3 connecting the compressor 22, 71 and the fuel cell 1, 51 and feeding supply gas A; an intercooler 23, 73 arranged in the main passage W1, W3; and a bypass passage W2, W4 connecting the compressor 22, 71 and the fuel cell 1, 51 and feeding supply gas A in such a manner that the supply gas A bypasses the intercooler 23, 73.

Abstract translation: 一种用于燃料电池1,51的预热装置GS，包括：用于将供给气体A供给到燃料电池1,51的压缩机22,71; 连接压缩机22,71和燃料电池1,51的主通路W1，W3，供给气体A; 布置在主通道W1，W3中的中间冷却器23,73; 连接压缩机22,71和燃料电池单元51的旁路通路W2，W4，供给气体A以供给气体A绕过中间冷却器23,73的方式供给。

公开(公告)号：US20020034669A1

公开(公告)日：2002-03-21

申请号：US09908204

申请日：2001-07-18

Inventor： Tomoki Kobayashi ,  Yoshio Nuiya

IPC: H01M008/04

CPC classification number: H01M8/04395 ,  H01M8/04089 ,  H01M8/04141 ,  H01M8/04149 ,  H01M8/04179 ,  H01M8/04335 ,  H01M8/0435 ,  H01M8/04507 ,  H01M8/04559 ,  H01M8/04619 ,  H01M8/04753 ,  H01M8/04761 ,  H01M8/04828 ,  Y10T137/86002

Abstract: A gas-supplying apparatus for a fuel cell, which generates electric power due to an electrochemical reaction between oxygen and hydrogen, during which water is produced, and which has respective gas passages within the duel cell according to the present invention comprises a gas-sucking means which supplies supply gas of the fuel cell provided on the downstream of the gas passage in a gas-flowing direction; and a pressure controller which controls the pressure of the supply gas within the fuel cell, provided on the upstream of the gas passage, whereby the water produced during the course of said electrochemical reaction is discharged. When the cell voltage is decreased, the apparatus of the present invention recovers the cell voltage by making the negative pressure large to accelerate the discharge of the produced water with minimized power consumption.

Abstract translation: 一种用于燃料电池的气体供应装置，其由于氧气和氢气之间的电化学反应而产生电力，在此期间产生水，并且在根据本发明的对峙电池中具有各自的气体通道包括气体吸入 用于在气体流动方向上供给设置在气体通道下游的燃料电池的供给气体的装置; 以及压力控制器，其控制设置在气体通道的上游的燃料电池内的供给气体的压力，由此在所述电化学反应过程中产生的水被排出。 当电池电压降低时，本发明的装置通过使负压较大来恢复电池电压，以最小化功率消耗来加速所产生的水的放电。

公开(公告)号：US12003007B2

公开(公告)日：2024-06-04

申请号：US17781341

申请日：2020-11-25

Applicant: Ceres Intellectual Property Company Limited

Inventor： Oliver John Postlethwaite ,  Simone Stefano Dozio ,  Simone Bertoni ,  Paul Adrian Barnard

IPC: H01M8/04 ,  H01M8/04014 ,  H01M8/0432 ,  H01M8/04701 ,  H01M8/04746 ,  H01M8/0612 ,  H01M8/12

CPC classification number: H01M8/0618 ,  H01M8/04014 ,  H01M8/04022 ,  H01M8/04328 ,  H01M8/04335 ,  H01M8/0435 ,  H01M8/04373 ,  H01M8/04738 ,  H01M8/04753 ,  H01M8/04776 ,  H01M2008/1293

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprising (i) at least one fuel cell stack (30) comprising at least one intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell, and having an anode inlet (41) and a cathode inlet (61) and (ii) a reformer (70) for reforming a hydrocarbon fuel to a reformate, and a reformer heat exchanger (160); and defining: an anode inlet gas fluid flow path from a fuel source (90) to said reformer (70) to said fuel cell stack anode inlet (41); a cathode inlet gas fluid flow path from an oxidant inlet (140, 140′, 140″) through at least one cathode inlet gas heat exchanger (110, 150) to said reformer heat exchanger (160) to said fuel cell stack cathode inlet (61); wherein said at least one cathode inlet gas heat exchanger (110, 150) is arranged to heat relatively low temperature cathode inlet gas by transfer of heat from at least one of (i) an anode off-gas fluid flow path and (ii) a cathode off-gas fluid flow path; wherein said reformer heat exchanger is arranged for heating said anode inlet gas from said relatively high temperature cathode inlet gas to a temperature T3 at the anode inlet that is below a temperature T1 at the cathode inlet; and wherein oxidant flow control means (200) for controlled mixing of low temperature oxidant from the or each oxidant inlet (140, 140′, 140″) with high temperature cathode inlet gas to control a temperature T1 at the cathode inlet (61) relative to a temperature T3 at the anode inlet (41) and at a level higher than T3.