Method and apparatus for regenerating the performance of a PEM fuel cell
US6399231B1 · kind B1 · utility
41Cited by
8References
9Claims
0Family size
Assignee
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Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 22, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 4, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 10, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
PEM fuel cell performance losses caused by phenomena occurring during normal cell operation are recovered by periodically reducing the cathode potential to about 0.6 volts or less, and preferably to 0.1 volt or less. Once the cathode potential is reduced to the desired low level, it is maintained at or below that level for a period of time. The lower the potential to which the cathode is brought, the more quickly regeneration will occur. After regeneration, the cell, when returned to normal operation, will operate at a higher performance level.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.