Integral sensors for monitoring a fuel cell membrane and methods of monitoring
US6214487A · kind A · utility
34Cited by
7References
25Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 1, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 10, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 1, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A membrane electrode assembly consists of a polymer electrolyte membrane (100) with an electrode on each side. The polymer electrolyte membrane has an integral sensor (115) disposed on the surface. The sensor monitors the physical, thermal, chemical or electrical state of the membrane electrode assembly. Information obtained from the sensor is used to identify a defective membrane electrode assembly, and the operation of the fuel cell is altered based on the identified defective membrane electrode assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.