Method for initiating a fuel cell
US6007930A · kind A · utility
26Cited by
7References
18Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 6, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 28, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 6, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a method for initiating a fuel cell power system by directly introducing a gas containing oxygen into the fuel cell stack 10. A gas storage source 28 provides oxidizer to the fuel cell 10 such that there is enough initial power to generate a load. The air compressor 24 is started electrically by a portion of the load, and begins to supply compressed air to the cathode 14. The fuel cell stack 10 thereby obtains a further quantity of oxidizer from the compressed air. The air system valve 32 then operates to transfer the fuel cell stack 10 from the gas storage source 28 to the air compressor 24.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.