Fuel cell system method and apparatus employing oxygen sensor
Patent 6887606 Issued on May 3, 2005. Estimated Expiration Date: July 25, 2021. 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.
429/22, Automatic control means429/24, Temperature dependent700/292, System protection (e.g., circuit interrupter, circuit limiter, voltage suppressor)700/299Specific application of temperature responsive control system
A controller in a fuel cell system performs various operating parameter checks at a predefined schedule, including one or more of a stack current check; a stack voltage check; a cell voltage check; a purge cell check; an oxygen concentration check; a hydrogen concentration check; a stack temperature check; an ambient air temperature check; a fuel pressure check; and an airflow rate check; a hydrogen sensor heater check; a battery voltage check; a microcontroller self-check; and/or toggling a watchdog. The frequency of the checks are set relative to achieve an efficient control of the fuel cell system by selectively distributing the load on the microcontroller.
Other References
Abstract of JP 60-212966, esp@cenet database, Oct. 25, 1985.
Abstract of JP 63-241876, esp@cenet database, Oct. 7, 1988.
Abstract of JP 2-078159, esp@cenet database, Mar. 19, 1990.
Abstract of JP 4-115467, esp@cenet database, Apr. 16, 1992.
Abstract of JP 4-220955, esp@cenet database, Aug. 11, 1992.
Abstract of JP 6-084536, esp@cenet database, Mar. 25, 1994.
Abstract of JP 7-325075, esp@cenet database, Dec. 12, 1995.
Abstract of JP 8-162138, esp@cenet database, Jun. 21, 1996.
Abstract of JP 8-185879, esp@cenet database, Jul. 16, 1996.
Abstract of JP 2000-009685, espacenet database, Jan. 14, 2000.
Jake de Vaal and Harvindra Deo, “Fuel Cell Ambient Enviroment Monitoring and Control Apparatus and Method,” U.S. Application No. 09/916,241, Jul. 25, 2001.
Robert Kenneth Parr, “Fuel Cell Controller Self Inspection,” U.S. Application No. 09/916,117, Jul. 25, 2001.
Brian Wells, “Fuel Cell Anomaly Detection Method and Apparatus,” U.S. Application No. 09/916,115, Jul. 25, 2001.
Russell Howard Barton et al., “Fuel Cell Purging Method and Apparatus,” U.S. Application No. 09/916,211, Jul. 25, 2001.
Brian Wells et al., “Fuel Cell Resuscitation Method and Apparatus,” U.S. Application No. 09/916,213, Jul. 25, 2001.
David S. Manery, “Fuel Cell System Automatic Power Switching Method Apparatus,” U.S. Application No. 09/916,239, Jul. 25, 2001.
Russell Howard Barton and Tan Duc Uong, “Product Water Pump for Fuel Cell System,” U.S. Application No. 09/916,118, Jul. 25, 2001.
Brian Wells and Kenneth W. Strang, “Fuel Cell System Having a Hydrogen Sensor,” U.S. Application No. 09/916,212, Jul. 25, 2001.