Control system for fuel cell
US6607855B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 23, 2001 |
| Grant date | Aug 19, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 7, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T90/40
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A control system for a fuel cell includes a vapor generation unit, a fuel reforming unit, a fuel supply unit, a combustion unit, a fuel vapor temperature detection unit, a temperature detection unit, a current detection unit, and a control unit. The vapor generation unit produces a fuel vapor by vaporizing a liquid fuel. The fuel reforming unit reforms the fuel vapor to produce a hydrogen-enriched fuel. The fuel supply unit supplies the reformed fuel to the fuel cell. The control unit calculates quantity of heat retained by the vapor generation unit based on the temperature of the fuel vapor, the temperature of the combustion unit, and the generated current. The control unit also controls a fuel supply command value for the fuel supply unit and/or a current generation command value for the fuel cell based on the calculated quantity of heat retained by the vapor generation unit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.