Method and apparatus for CO2 - driven air management for a fuel cell system
US6566003B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 18, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 20, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 6, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for oxygen management in a direct oxidation fuel cell system is provided. The oxygen management apparatus forces oxygen (typically from ambient air) into the cathode chamber of the fuel cell to facilitate the flow of oxygen across the cathode face of the fuel cell. It does so by utilizing the carbon dioxide already produced in the chemical reaction on the anode chamber of the cell. In a first embodiment of the invention, a turbine assembly is placed in fluid communication with the anode chamber of the fuel cell. The turbine assembly is driven when the carbon dioxide produced at the anode chamber flows over the blades of a first turbine (which is referred to herein as “the vent turbine”). The vent turbine is attached to a drive shaft that is used to cause a second turbine (or fan) to draw oxygen (generally from ambient air) into the cathode chamber of the fuel cell. This drawn-in air forces oxygen over the cathode of the fuel cell. The second turbine is referred to herein as “the inlet turbine.” Other embodiments of the invention allow for adjustments to be made depending upon the conditions in which the invention is used.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.