Freeze tolerant fuel cell power plant
US6562503B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 15, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 13, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 15, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention is a freeze tolerant fuel cell power plant that includes at least one fuel cell and a water transport plate secured within the fuel cell having a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet that direct a water coolant through the plate. A suction water displacement system includes a freeze tolerant accumulator secured to the coolant inlet and a vacuum separator secured to the coolant outlet having a suction generating eductor secured to the separator. Control valves and a coolant pump selectively direct either the water coolant, heated, or unheated water immiscible fluid to cycle from the accumulator, through the coolant inlet, water transport plate, coolant outlet, vacuum separator and back to the accumulator in order to permit operation and storage of the plant in sub-freezing ambient temperatures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.