Fuel cell system having a reformer unit
US6649292B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 16, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 18, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T90/40
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A fuel cell system has a reformer unit (1) for generating a reformate which is provided as a fuel for a fuel cell unit (4). The fuel cell system includes a sensor (5, 6, 7) for monitoring the quality of the reformate and a valve (9, 10) which can be controlled in dependence upon the sensor. Compared to conventional systems, the valve can react very rapidly to disturbances in the preparation of the reformate and can especially prevent that disturbances lead to damage of the fuel cell unit (4) and the electrical output power of the fuel cell unit continues to be controllable. This is achieved in that at least one storage unit (11) is provided for feeding fuel to the fuel cell unit (4) in dependence upon the quality of the reformate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.