Method and apparatus for operating a fuel cell
December 6, 2019. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent References 3268364 3753780 Method for reducing fuel cell output voltage to permit low power operation Directly electrically coupled fuel cell-electrolysis cell system Gas diffusion electrodes, electrochemical cells and methods exhibiting improved voltage performance Cathode flow control for fuel cell power plant Constant voltage fuel cell with improved reactant supply and control system Application of fuel cells to power generation systems Process and apparatus for humidifying process gas for operating fuel cell systems Process and apparatus for supplying air to a fuel cell system InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 455033 filed on 12/06/1999US Classes:429/13, Process of operating429/22, Automatic control means429/23Electrical output dependentExaminersPrimary: Ryan, PatrickAssistant: Crepeau, Jonathan Attorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassH01M 008/04AbstractThe present invention relates to improving the overall efficiency of a fuel cell system by reducing parasitic power consumption. A controller is programmed to decrease oxidant stoichiometry until oxidant starvation is detected or until oxidant stoichiometry is about one. When oxidant starvation is detected, the oxidant stoichiometry is increased until oxidant starvation is no longer detected. The fuel cell system employs a sensor for detecting an operational characteristic such as voltage output, or oxygen or hydrogen concentration in the cathode exhaust stream. The controller uses the operational characteristic to calculate oxidant stoichiometry or to determine when there is oxidant starvation at the cathode.Other References
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