Patent · US Expired

Electric power generating system

US6248461A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
5References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 29, 1999
Grant dateJun 19, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 29, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S429/901
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An electric power generating system includes a cell such as a fuel cell for outputting direct-current power and a conversion device having at least either one of an inverter for converting the direct current power into alternating-current power and a converter for changing a voltage level of the direct-current power. The cell generates high-temperature thermal energy of 60.degree. C. or higher in association with the generation of direct-current power. The conversion device employs a semiconductor element capable of operating at an ambient temperature of 55.degree. C. or higher. The semiconductor element may be an element having a wider band gap than Si. Further, the conversion device may employ a GaAs semiconductor element, an InP semiconductor element, an SiC semiconductor element, a GaN semiconductor element or combinations thereof.

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