Shutdown and storage method for fuel cell system at below freezing temperatures
US10170781B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 7, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jan 1, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 24, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Improved methods are disclosed for shutting down and storing a fuel cell system, particularly for below freezing temperature conditions. The methods comprise stopping power production from the fuel cell stack, monitoring the amount of energy remaining in an energy supply, monitoring the stack temperature, and repeatedly performing a predetermined warming operation if the stack temperature falls to a normal threshold temperature and if the amount of energy remaining exceeds a certain minimum amount. In the improved methods, when the amount of remaining energy is less than or equal to the minimum amount, a final warming operation is performed that differs from the predetermined warming operation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.