Patent · US Expired

Method for identifying a gas leak, and fuel cell system

US6156447A · kind A · utility

20Cited by

5References

11Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

Willi Bette · Erlangen, DE
Josef Lersch · Heroldsbach, DE

Key dates

Filing date	May 28, 1999
Grant date	Dec 5, 2000
Priority date	—
Expiry date	May 28, 2019

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY02E60/50
WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method for identifying a gas leak between anode and cathode gas areas of a PEM fuel cell includes detecting a cell voltage. The anode and cathode gas areas are purged with nitrogen in a first time period. The cathode gas area is filled with oxygen and the anode gas area is filled with hydrogen in a second time period. A drop in the cell voltage below a limit value as a function of time is then measured and evaluated. The method ensures reliable identification of the gas leak. A fuel cell system operating according to the method is also provided.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.