Augmented air supply for fuel cell power plant during transient load increases
US4729930A · kind A · utility
33Cited by
3References
6Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 29, 1987 |
| Grant date | Mar 8, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 29, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The performance of fuel cell power plants using air as the oxygen source is reduced during periods of load increase because the response of the fuel cells to the load change is relatively instantaneous. While cell response is instantaneous, changes in air supply are not. In order to temporarily increase the air supply to the cells during such a load change, auxiliary solenoid operated valves having high response characteristics are opened to allow greater air flow to the cells. When the oxygen flow rate is determined to be sufficient for the measured load, the auxiliary valves are closed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.